Date:27/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/27/stories/2007112760900700.htm

Tamil Nadu

“CPI leaders will not accept police protection”

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Leaders of the Communist Party of India in the State will not accept police protection, CPI State secretary D. Pandian said here on Monday.

(The government has proposed to grant security to leaders of political parties following the attack on TNCC president M. Krishnasswamy last month.)

Mr. Pandian said hired assassins attacked many and kidnapped women and children for ransom. It would be difficult for the Government to provide protection to every affected individual. Instead, the Government should come down heavily on anti-social elements.

He said the CPI would support the farmers’ agitation to be held across the State on Tuesday, demanding that the Government fix the procurement price for rice at Rs.1,000. As this was harvest time, the Government should fix the procurement price and announce it immediately.

He said rice procurement centres were functioning only in a few places in the State.