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DMK workers ransack BJP office
WSN Network
Chennai: The political debate on the Ram Setu veered towards
violence in Tamil Nadu with suspected DMK workers ransacking state
BJP chief H Raja’s residence and later attacking the offices of BJP
and VHP in Chennai. A BJP office-bearer said three party workers
were injured when stones were pelted at their office building in
retaliation to the edict issued by mahants to behead Tamil Nadu CM M
Karunanidhi for his anti-Ram tirade.
Police said there were also attacks on DMK leaders by BJP activists.
The homes of a former DMK minister and a leader in Karaikudi, about
400 km from Chennai, was attacked after Raja’s residence was
ransacked, said Sivaganga SP N Kannan. The administration has put
cops on high alert across the state.
‘‘It was the work of DMK activists. Our party workers caught the DMK
cell leader who headed the attack,’’ said Raja. The house of his
father-in-law, too, wasn’t spared and two of his vehicles were
damaged on Saturday night. Violence spread to Chennai on Sunday
morning when DMK workers pelted stones at BJP office in T Nagar,
Chennai. In Bhopal, where BJP leaders were attending the national
executive, party chief Rajnath Singh demanded strict action against
the attackers. ‘‘Not only did the DMK activists attack BJP workers
and our office in Chennai but also hit some of our workers at their
homes in Madurai. We condemn such violence and demand punitive
actions against the culprits,’’ he said. ‘‘In a democracy, every one
has the right to freedom of speech. But that shouldn’t be mistaken
as licence for blasphemy. Holding the reins of the government
doesn’t authorise them to get violent,’’ Singh said.
However, the violence wasn’t one-sided if the Sivaganga SP is to be
believed, who said BJP workers attacked the houses of ex-DMK
minister Thennavan and DMK leader Durai Ganesan in Karaikudi.
‘‘There were also one or two incidents of stone-pelting. The
situation is under control.’’ State DGP P Rajendran said, ‘‘I called
up all the DIGs and zonal IGs in the state. They’ve been asked to
deal with any eventuality.’’
26
September, 2007
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