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Senior PMK leader Guru arrested

R. Rajaram

Action sparks protests in Ariyalur, Perambalur districts

TIRUCHI: The police arrested Vanniar Sangam president and senior Pattali Makkal Katchi leader J. Guru in his native Kaduvetti village in Ariyalur district early on Saturday, in connection with an attempt to murder case registered against him a few months ago.

A former MLA, Mr. Guru was taken to Perambalur under heavy police protection and produced before the Judicial Magistrate, who remanded him to judicial custody. He was taken to the Tiruchi Central Prison.

[Guru’s statements against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leaders were the immediate provocation for the DMK to sever ties with the PMK last month.]

The news of the arrest sparked protests in Ariyalur and Perambalur districts. A large posse of police personnel was deployed. About 20 PMK functionaries were held as a precautionary measure and produced before the Revenue Divisional Officer at Udayarpalayam, police said.

A case was registered in the Meensurutti police station in Jayamkondam Sub Division in Ariyalur district against Mr. Guru, Kamaraj, Nagasundaram and Veerappan in April, based on a complaint lodged by Gunasekaran, a PMK functionary, for allegedly assaulting him.

It was registered under Sections 294 (B) (criminal intimidation), 323 (simple hurt), 324 (hurt with weapon) and 307 (attempt to murder). Police sources said Gunasekaran, once a prohibition offender, had sought assistance through the government’s rehabilitation fund. He was upset over his name not being included in the list. He had warned Mr. Guru that he would leave the PMK and join the AIADMK. Following this, he was allegedly assaulted by Mr. Guru and the other three accused. A non-bailable warrant was issued against Mr. Guru by the Judicial Magistrate, Ariyalur, three days ago.

Inspector General of Police, Central Zone, Karan Singha, told The Hindu that the situation in Ariyalur was under control.

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