The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Petition alleges atrocities by kin of Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 06, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Petition alleges atrocities by kin of Minister

Special Correspondent

Demands compensation, deployment of paramilitary forces in fishing hamlet

CHENNAI : A public interest litigation petition, alleging atrocities by the kin of a Minister and demanding compensation, besides deployment of paramilitary forces in a fishing hamlet near here, has been filed in the Madras High Court.

According to the petitioner, K. Anjappan of K.V.K. Kuppam near Tiruvottriyur, Fisheries Minister and MLA representing Tiruvottiyur constituency, K.P.P. Swamy, and his brothers had unleashed violence and atrocities on the Kuppam people since most of them had not voted for the DMK in the last Assembly polls.

Claiming that Mr. Swamy had mismanaged tsunami funds given to him by the State Government, the petitioner said his brothers, one of whom had been detained under Goondas Act, indulged in anti-social activities. They threatened and abused people, and at times even assaulted the villagers.

Houses destroyed

He said that since Mr. Swamy was a Minister, the local police as well as higher police officials did not respond to complaints. The State police was a "mute spectator" to the atrocities and had failed in its duty. He alleged that several houses had been destroyed and the villagers were forced to stay away from their permanent residence.

"There is absolutely no security for us and there is no guarantee of life security if we return to our residence," the petitioner said.

He prayed for an interim compensation of Rs. 1 lakh and final damages of Rs. 5 lakh, besides deployment of paramilitary forces for security. He also sought an impartial inquiry by a retired Judge of the High Court into the complaints.

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