The Hindu : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 06, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Briefly

Acquitted in assault case

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI FEB. 5. A Madurai court acquitted all four persons accused in the `Theepori' Arumugam assault case yesterday.

The former Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) platform speaker, `Theepori' Arumugam, who later joined the ruling All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), was allegedly assaulted by Panneer, Nakheeran, Arumugam, Subramanian and Muthuraman of Andalpuram on August 21, 2001, for making ``objectionable'' remarks against the DMK president at a function at Tirupparankundram. Mr. Arumugam's house was also ransacked.

While Muthuraman died during the course of the trial, the third fast track court judge, John Peter Sugumar, acquitted the others.

The prosecution failed to prove the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt, the judge said.

Sub-inspector dismissed

By Our Staff Reporter

ERODE FEB. 5. A sub-inspector has been dismissed from service for his alleged involvement in transportation of illicit arrack. According to the Superintendent of Police, P. Balasubramanian, Sekar attached to the Bangalapudur station was caught transporting arrack to his village near Vijayamangalam to celebrate an annual festival there some months ago.

He was then shifted to Arachalure. Meanwhile, an enquiry was held by the SP.

Last evening, the Deputy Inspector-General, Ashutosh Shukla, issued an order, dismissing Sekar with immediate effect.

211 huts gutted

By Our Staff Reporter

Ramanathapuram FEB. 5. As many as 211 huts, fishing nets and household articles were destroyed in a fire on the Kovilvadi shore near Pamban this morning. Ten goats also died. According to sources, the fire broke out first from the hut of a fisherman and spread to others.

The Collector, S. Vijaya Kumar, distributed assistance to the tune of Rs. 4.5 lakhs to the affected. Besides Rs. 2,000 in cash, five kg of rice, five litres of kerosene, a sari and a dhoti were given to the each of the families.

He directed revenue officials to assess the damage and submit a report.

Body exhumed on suspicion

By Our Staff Reporter

Dharmapuri FEB. 5. A woman's body was exhumed and post-mortem held yesterday on the suspicion of being administered wrong treatment by a homeopathy doctor at Marandahalli, near here. According to the police, Muthulakshmi (23), wife of Kannan (30), had given birth to a male child on January 10. She was taken to a private homeopathic clinic where she was reportedly administered two injections. Muthulakshmi died on reaching home.

But based on a complaint lodged by Muthulakshmi's father Rajendiran the body was exhumed and post-mortem done.

Hoda inspects HC building

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI FEB. 5. The Home Secretary, Syed Munir Hoda, inspected the buildings for the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court at Ulaganeri near here today.

Accompanied by the Inspector-General of Police (South Zone), T.K. Rajendran, the Commissioner of Police, Vijay Kumar, and the District Collector, B. Chandra Mohan, the Home Secretary visited the court halls and administrative blocks. The visit follows the announcement made by the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, Justice B. Subashan Reddy, that the Bench would commence operations from April 13, said police sources.

Employees' union appeal

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI FEB. 5. The Tamil Nadu Government Employees Union today urged the Chief Minister to announce a decision favourable to the 999 dismissed government employees and increase in dearness allowance (DA), during her reply to the Governor's address in the Assembly.

The absence of any announcement on the employees who were removed from service (for participating in the strike in July last year) and payment of DA on a par with Union Government employees in the Governor's address was disheartening, the union said in a release.

President's police medal

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI FEB. 5. V. Balachandran, Additional Director-General of Police, Crime Branch Criminal Investigation Department, Chennai, and Vibhakar Sharma, Inspector-General of Police, Civil Supplies CID, Chennai, have been awarded the President's police medal for distinguished service on the occasion of Republic Day.

Assumes charge

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI FEB. 5. B.P.S. Pai has taken over as Chief General Manager of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Southern Telecom Project Circle. The circle has jurisdiction over Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territories of Pondicherry and Lakshadweep. It is responsible for planning, survey and execution of microwave, optical fibre schemes for providing connectivity in the southern region and also to strengthen the national network linking the southern region with other regions.

French ship in Chennai

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI FEB.5. The French naval ship `Latouche - Treville' is currently on a visit to Chennai. Commanded by Capt. Alain Christienne, the 4,500-tonne vessel docked on Tuesday. The anti-submarine warfare destroyer is equipped with surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles and anti-submarine homing torpedoes, and carries Lynx MK 4 anti-submarine helicopters.

One killed as two-wheeler hits lorry

By Our Staff Reporter

Tirunelveli Feb. 5 . One person was killed and his wife sustained serious injuries when the

two-wheeler they were riding hit a lorry from behind.

According to the police, M. George (45), a teacher of Mela Kaarangaadu under the Nanguneri police station limits, and his wife, G. Joselin (38), were returning home in a bike last night after attending a function at Panagudi. When they were nearing Nanguneri, their bike dashed against a lorry from behind as the driver of the heavy vehicle applied brake suddenly.

While Mr. George was killed on the spot, Ms. Joselin has been admitted to a private nursing home at Therekaalputhur near Nagercoil.

Two-wheeler rider killed

By Our Staff Reporter

RAJAPALAYAM Feb. 5 . A two-wheeler rider, Shastry (39), was killed on the spot, when a private bus knocked the vehicle on the Rajapalayam-Tenkasi road yesterday.

The victim was a teacher in a higher secondary school at Thalavaipuram.

The Rajapalayam (South) police have registered a case. The driver, Kumar (42), has been arrested.

In a hit-and-run accident, a bank employee, Neerthilingam (53), sustained serious injuries when a speeding lorry hit his two-wheeler on the same road. The lorry was intercepted by the police after a hot chase. The victim has been admitted to a private hospital in Madurai.

Youth held

for murder

By Our Staff Reporter

Tuticorin Feb. 5 . The Maasaarpatti police have arrested a youth and are looking for his brother for allegedly murdering their cousin in a land dispute.

The police said M. Soundarapandian (24), a farmer of West Street of Achchankulam, had developed an enmity with his cousins, P. Murugan alias Antony (27) and his younger brother, P. Selvam. In this backdrop, Soundarapandian had a wordy duel with a relative of the duo last evening over the land dispute. Enraged, Murugan and Selvam allegedly attacked Soundarapandian with a shovel this morning.

The victim, with serious injuries was taken to the Vilaaththikulam Government Hospital and then referred to the Tuticorin Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Based on the complaint from the victim's father, Muthuramalingam, the police arrested Murugan and the hunt is on to nab Selvam.

`Laksharchana'

By Our Staff Reporter

Tuticorin Feb. 5 . A `laksharchana' was conducted at the Sri Somasundari Ambal-Somanatha Swamy Temple of Thiruvaavaduthurai Mutt at Arumuganeri near Tiruchendur from February 2 to 4 for world peace and abundant rain.

The three-day event started with Ganapathi homam and pushpaanjali was conducted at the end of the `laksharchana'. The whole programme was conducted under the aegis of the Bhaktha Jana Sabha of the temple.

The president of the sabha, M. S. S. Shanmuga Venkatesan, the secretary, P.K.S. Kandhaiah, the treasurer, S. Harikrishnan and the representative of the Thiruvaavaduthurai Mutt, Subbaiah, have made arrangements for the `laksharchana'.

Illangudi Ramasubramaniya Bhattar and others recited mantras.

Fisherwomen' plea to Govt.

By Our Staff Reporter

Nagapattinam Feb. 5 . The Federation of Fisherwomen Cooperative Associations in Nagapattinam has demanded withdrawal of a recent GO, which barred fisherwomen from enjoying the benefits of the savings-cum-compensation scheme.

According to a resolution passed at the first meeting of the Federation, chaired by G. Susila of Tranquebar fishing hamlet, at Tranquebar recently, the members of the associations were rendered jobless during the 45-day fishing ban period. Hence, after several representations to the Government, the fisherwomen cooperative associations were included in the savings-cum-compensation scheme. However, within a year, the Government issued an order barring them from benefiting from the scheme.

Bank performance

By Our Staff Reporter

THANJAVUR Feb. 5 . The Thanjavur branch of The Tamil Nadu Industrial Cooperative Bank Ltd has exceeded its target in giving jewel loans for 2003-`04, according to V. Jayaraman, branch manager.

He told presspersons here recently that till December 31 last year, the bank had issued a jewel loan of Rs.326 lakhs against the target of Rs.232.38 lakhs. It had done well in personal loan, term loan, overdue loan, housing loan etc. in the whole of state. Against a target of Rs.585 lakhs for total lending, the bank had given so far Rs.614 lakhs.

Mettur level

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI Feb. 5 . The level in the Mettur reservoir stood at 30.81 feet today. The inflow was 220 cusecs and discharge nil.

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