The Hindu : Policeman offers fingers for AIADMK-BJP alliance

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 11, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Policeman offers fingers for AIADMK-BJP alliance

By Our Staff Reporter

SALEM, MARCH 10. A head constable, who prayed for an electoral alliance between the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Bharatiya Janata Party and for the victory of the combine in the Lok Sabha poll, made a creepy offering to the God — in gratitude. He chopped off three fingers of the left hand last evening.

Rathinam (55), attached to the Karipatti station here, hoped that the alliance would catapult the AIADMK supremo, Jayalalithaa, into the national scene. As the alliance materialised, he chopped off his fingers and went to the Ayodhiapattinam Ramar temple, which however remained closed.

Putting the fingers in a plastic bag, he waited at the entrance. But heavy loss of blood left him unconscious. People nearby rushed him to the Salem Government Medical College Hospital.

The AIADMK district secretary and Education Minister, S. Semmalai, the Mayor, R. Sureshkumar, and a host of AIADMK MLAs and leaders today visited him and offered fruits.

"I have no regrets. I pray for the Chief Minister's (Jayalalithaa) victory," Mr. Rathinam said nonchalantly from his hospital bed. He refused to get his fingers re-fixed.

However, a few political leaders demanded appropriate action against the constable for his open affiliation to a political party.

No senior police official was available for comments.

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Tamil Nadu