It's planned police violence: DMK

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, AUG. 13. The State had been witnessing ``a reign of terror'' for the past three months and on Sunday ``all forms of force conceivable to human kind were unleashed'' on DMK men and the media, the party president, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, said in a memorandum submitted to the Governor, Dr. C. Rangarajan, here today.

``We had already informed Your Excellency of the diabolic design of the ruling AIADMK to disturb our rally and unleash violence on our cadre on August 11,'' he said in a three- page memorandum released to the press here.

``The police and the hired hoodlums of the ruling AIADMK party crudely interfered with the sole objective of creating trouble in the rally. Armed with country weapons like knife, sickle, deadly weapons used by anti-social elements during riots, the AIADMK rowdies, supported by police, started attacking the rallyists near the DGP office and Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Kamaraj Salai-Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai junction. The DGP office, which is supposed to maintain law and order, was the venue of utter lawlessness and cruelty''.

Asked whether he was hopeful of getting justice from the present Governor, Mr. Karunanidhi quipped: ``A fair Governor will take fair action.'' He hastened to point out that the Governor had rushed to Chennai following his telephonic call to him in Hyderabad. The ``Governor has responded to our complaint that is why he has come to Chennai now.''

Accusing the police of having ``pre-planned'' the violence during the rally, Mr. Karunanidhi said the procession, which began at Little Mount, Saidapet, was peaceful until it reached the DGP's office. ``There might have been some minor incidents en route. But it was generally peaceful until it neared the DGP's office''.

According to him, the party had ``evidence'' to show that streetlights went off near the DGP's office and taking advantage of the ``darkness'', the police opened fire, resorted to a lathicharge and burst teargas shells.

And, ``AIADMK rowdy elements'' from Ayodhyakuppam adjoining the DGP's office went on the rampage, attacking the DMK men with knives and sickles. ``All the DMK men in hospital had sustained stab injuries,'' he said, asserting that DMK men would not have attacked one another and it was only the handiwork of ``enemies''.

Asked about the Chennai Police Commissioner, Mr. K. Muthukaruppan's charge that the DMK men attacked the DGP office, Mr. Karunanidhi shot back: ``I do not wish to respond to Mr. Muthukaruppan, who makes false statements in Court and then apologises.''

About 70 DMK men, who were taken to a kalyana mandapam without being provided food and water, and a few others detained in the Vepery police station in the city should be released immediately, Mr. Karunanidhi said.

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