5-hour drama on NH ends after case against MLA found false
Staff Reporter
Probe on into complaint against former Minister
Photo: M. Balaji
Lying idle: Vehicles stranded on Coimbatore-Tiruchi National Highway at Pongalur following a road blockade by the supporters of Pongalur MLA A.S. Mani on Friday. -
TIRUPUR: Five-hour-long road blockade on the busy Tiruchi-Coimbatore National Highway at Pongalur near here on Friday by a group of supporters of Pongalur MLA A.S. Mani of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was withdrawn after police declared that the case against him was false.
Thousands of people suffered due to the blockade and hundreds of vehicles were stranded on either side of the highway. The ruling party men withdrew the protest only after the police gave a clean chit to Mr. Mani.
Intimidation
The protestors demanded dropping of the case against Mr. Mani, filed by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) councillor P. Chinnasamy of Alagumalai, regarding criminal intimidation and abusing a Dalit by calling him by his caste name.
The Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore rural district, G. Karthikeyan, confirmed that he had received a report from Palladam Deputy Superintendent of Police stating that investigations revealed that prima facie there was no case against Mr. Mani. He had recommended dropping further action against the MLA. The DSP, in his report, said that the complaint was found to be false and baseless.
Avanashipalayam police on Thursday filed a case against Pollachi V. Jayaraman, former Minister and election wing secretary of AIADMK, and 50 others based on a complaint by A. Subramaniam, a casual labour employed at the PAP guest house, Pongalur.
Mr. Jayaraman and AIADMK functionaries came to Pongalur on Thursday to participate in a demonstration. Mr. Subramaniam said Mr. Jayaraman and others sought a room at the guest house and it was denied as all the rooms had already been booked. Mr. Subramaniam alleged that Mr. Jayaraman and others attacked him and abused him by calling him by his caste name. A case was registered against them under Prevention of SC & ST Atrocities Act.
However, Mr. Jayaraman denied all these charges. On the case against AIADMK cadre, Mr. Karthikeyan said investigation was on.
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