Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai   

Police deny permission for Chromepet rally

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI JUNE 7. A procession and all-party meeting organised by the residents, traders and members of the major political parties at Chromepet on Saturday, demanding police action to nab the attackers of V. Santhanam, a social activist of, ran into rough weather when the police denied permission.

The stage put up by the members near the Chromepet Post Office for the meeting, the party flags and other accessories at the meeting site were removed by the police in the afternoon. The materials were later restored to the members in the evening and they were allowed to hold a public meeting near the Post Office on GST Road.

Mr. Santhanam, living in New Colony, Chromepet, was attacked by a two-member gang with sharp weapons on May 26. He is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

The members said they had put in an application for permission to take out a procession and hold a meeting about a week ago and had not expected a denial from the police. The denial letter from the police came on Saturday morning and by that time, the preparation for the events was almost through. They said they had intimated the police that the procession would start from the Chromepet Government Hospital and would take the route through New Colony 16th Cross Street, Mr. Santhanam's residence, to reach the meeting spot on GST Road.

The permission was denied on the ground that the procession could affect traffic movement along arterial GST Road.

Following sustained requests with the Chengai East Superintendent of Police, K.Shankar, the materials were returned and the members were allowed to hold a meeting for two hours, said T.Nandagopal, South Chennai district secretary, CPI (M).

The meeting passed a resolution demanding immediate action by the police to locate the attackers of Mr. Santhanam and take stringent action against them, and bring to book all those behind the attack. The meeting also urged the police to step up vigil against gangsters and mafia men operating in and around Chromepet and ensure security of the residents.

Besides members of the residents welfare associations and traders associations, local leaders of the CPI (M), the CPI, the DMK, the MDMK, the PMK and the Congress, were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Chengai (East) police have arrested three workers of the Chromepet GH in connection with the assault on Mr. Santhanam. Police sources identified them as Christopher Das (33), Venkatesan (31) and Damodaran (32). They were summoned by the police during the preliminary inquiries and were arrested last night after investigations confirmed that they were responsible for the attack.

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