Tamil Nadu

Cases registered against 1,200 persons in Ramanathapuram

RAMANATHAPURAM: Even as tension prevailed in parts of the district for the third day on Wednesday, cases were registered against 1,200 persons belonging to Thevar and Dalit communities in connection with violent incidents on Tuesday. Bus services remained suspended on several routes.

Three policemen sustained injuries when a gang attacked them at Kamudhi. The police have, so far, received 15 complaints, including one on the attack on Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnasswamy, and the murder of a Dalit.

Police sources said the were cases booked under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code. Most of them were booked in Paramakudi and Mudukulathur, which witnessed violence on Monday and Tuesday. While about 750 persons were booked in Mudukulathur, 450 were charged with various offences in Paramkudi.

An attempt to murder case was registered against 50 persons, including Tamilarasan, Koppu alias Muniasamy and Karnan of Keela Kanniseri, for attacking Mr. Krishnasswamy with deadly weapons.

The body of Vincent John, a Dalit who succumbed to injuries sustained in an attack by a mob, at Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, was buried at Veerambal. Though thousands of police personnel were mobilised to prevent untoward incidents, relatives of the deceased and an angry mob did not allow them to enter the village.

Anticipating trouble, the body was brought from Madurai through Abiramam, instead of Paramakudi, where more than 5,000 people had gathered to receive it.

Rajeev Kumar, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Ramanathapuram Range, told The Hindu that some persons had been secured for interrogation in connection with some cases. Several police parties had been formed to nab the culprits involved in various cases. Nagendran Nair, Additional Superintendent of Police, escaped unhurt when a group of five persons attacked a police team at Kamudhi on Tuesday for asking a gang to behave. Three policemen, including his gunmen Sathiyendran and Wilson, were injured and admitted to hospital.

Additional Director-General of Police K. Vijay Kumar, Inspector-General of Police Sanjeev Kumar, two DIGs, 13 Superintendents of Police and about 4,000 police personnel have been posted at sensitive places in the district.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi announced a compensation of Rs.3.5 lakh to the kin of Vincent John. The first instalment of Rs.1.5 lakh was handed over to his wife Sagunthala on Wednesday.

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