Tamil Nadu

Leaders condemn attack on Krishnasswamy

— Photo: G. Moorthy

ENQUIRING ABOUT HIS HEALTH : Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi visiting TNCC president M. Krishnasswamy at a private hospital in Madurai on Tuesday.

MADURAI: Political leaders, including Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, on Tuesday condemned the attack on Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnasswamy by unidentified persons near Mudukulathur.

Visiting the leader at a private hospital here on Tuesday, Mr. Karunanidhi said the Government had taken steps to nab the culprits and the police were trying to ascertain the identity of the assailants.

Pattalai Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss said if this could happen to a leader it could happen to anybody. He alleged that the law and order situation was deteriorating and urged the Government to take stringent action against those involved in the attack.

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder Vijayakant said he had been expressing his views on “worsening” law and order situation for quite sometime but they were not taken seriously.

Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the incident.

Union Minister for Health Anbumani Ramadoss visited Mr. Krishnasswamy.

Union Minster of State for Textiles E.V.K.S. Elangovan, condemning the attack, said law and order was not being maintained properly in the State.

Union Minister G.K.Vasan also condemned the attack.

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Vaiko and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders S. Thirunavukkarasar, L. Ganesan, Ravishankar Prasad and Pon. Radhakrishnan also visited Mr. Krishnasswamy.

Viduthalai Siruthaigal Katchi general secretary Thol. Thirumavalavan said the attack on the soft-spoken Congress leader was aimed at instigating violence in the southern districts.

After visiting the leader at the hospital, he urged the Government to identify the anti-social forces and take steps to ensure peace in the region. He demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack.

He said police personnel not belonging to southern districts should be posted for protection duty.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko condemned the attack and accused the police of having failed to provide protection to political leaders.

In a statement issued in Chennai, he expressed shock at the attack, which he attributed to intelligence failure.

CPI State secretary D. Pandian urged the government to take severe action against those who attacked Mr. Krishnasswamy and appealed to people in the area to maintain peace.

CPI(M) secretary N. Varadarajan urged the Government to arrest those involved in the incident. Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani condemned the attack and urged the Government to take stern action against those involved.

All-India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday made enquiries about the condition of TNCC president M. Krishnasswamy from his son M.K. Vishnuprasad.

She wished him a speedy recovery.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu