The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Inauguration amid violence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 06, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Inauguration amid violence

By J. V. Siva Prasanna Kumar

USILAMPATTI (MADURAI DISTRICT), SEPT. 5. A manimandapam (memorial) for the late P. K. Mookiah Thevar, put up here, was inaugurated amidst violent scenes this evening.

The police had to chase away protesters on at least five occasions in a matter of 30 minutes. They regrouped and threw stones and chappals at the police at regular intervals.

In the melee, a youth barged into the manimandapam with an `aruval' and charged at a group standing beside the altar there. However, the police foiled his attempt. Even as the police were overpowering the youth and protecting dignitaries, a group went to the rearside of the memorial and threw stones at the police standing inside.

As the memorial was a circular structure with several pillars supporting the roof and open all on sides, the protesters threw stones at the police from all sides.

Personnel of the Tamil Nadu Special Police force and the Rapid Action Force, armed with bamboo shields and lathis, formed a barricade around the spherical memorial and prevented stones from landing inside.

Rain brings respite

A sudden downpour made the protesters take shelter in buildings surrounding the memorial, which was constructed inside the Pasumpon Mathuramalinga Thevar College.

When there was a let-up in the situation, the Sri Lankan Minister for Cultural Affairs and Education, Vijitha Herath, inaugurated the memorial and placed a wreath on the altar. He was joined by leaders of the Tamil Nadu unit of the All-India Forward Bloc, the Usilampatti MLA, L. Santhanam, and other AIFB leaders.

After the inauguration, the protesters again regrouped around the manimandapam despite the heavy downpour. But the police chased away the mob.

The Sri Lankan Minister and AIFB leaders including the all-India general secretary, Debabrata Biswas, were safely escorted from the venue and the police took control of the memorial. As it continued to rain heavily, the protesters and AIFB members gradually dispersed.

Claims, protest

Trouble started when supporters of P.V. Kathiresan, general secretary of the All-India Forward Bloc (Vallarasu group), arrived well before 5 p.m., time stipulated for the event, and insisted that they be given the honour of inaugurating the memorial first.

Shortly thereafter, another group led by K. A. Murugan alias Muruganji of the Bharatiya Forward Bloc came, denouncing Mr. Santhanam ``for coming to participate in the inauguration.''

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