Anti-liquor stir intensifies, protest in Tamil Nadu town turns violent

Chennai/Tirunelveli

Agitations seeking total prohibition in Tamil Nadu intensified today in the state with a protest by local people and MDMK in Tirunelveli district turning violent.

The protests took place even as support for an August 4 bandh call grew over the issue.

Police lobbed tear-gas shells and lathi-charged protesters after a scuffle broke out between them. It was not immediately clear as to the number of persons injured.

Police said, scores of people had been arrested for indulging in violence.

The protests against state-run liqour outlets gained momentum today, two days after the death of Gandhian Sasi Perumal in Kanyakumari district during a stir against a liquor outlet.

In Tirunelveli District, a protest by locals and MDMK, seeking closure of a TASMAC outlet in Kalingapatti turned violent as alcoholic beverages in the outlet were brought to the road, broken and smashed by angry protesters.

Vaiko who led the stir and local people later blocked road traffic to protest against the police’s action.

Vaiko’s 99-year-old mother had led the protests yesterday.

An MDMK functionary on the spot alleged that the manner in which police handled the situation “is the reason” for the scenario. A tear-gas canister almost fell on Vaiko, he told PTI.

Senior police officials are on their way to the spot.

“Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalam has expressed solidarity for the protest, he is with us,” the functionary said.

VCK leader Tirumavalavan who addressed the protesters at Kalingapatti, said the agitation was not for political gains, but for the welfare of the people.

Meanwhile, an unidentified young man climbed a 200-ft mobile phone tower in Kalingapatti as part of the stir and came down after much persuasion.

The family of Perumal staged a protest in Salem, while DMDK workers shut down a TASMAC shop in MGR Nagar here.

In Tirupur, members of Indiya Jananayaga Madar Sangam held a protest, demanding closure of liqour outlets.

In Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peravai chief (traders federation) T Vellaiyan said traders in all districts would down shutters on Aug 4 in homage to Perumal.

They also supported prohibition.

The police action drew protests from DMDK and CPI(M).

Leader of Opposition and DMDK chief Vijayakant told reporters in Salem after visiting Perumal’s family to console them and alleging that “anything can happen in the AIADMK regime.”

CPI(M) state Secretary G Ramakrishan condemned the lathicharge, while TNCC president E V K S Elanogvan said his party had decided to extend support to the August 4 bandh.

“The Tamil Nadu government government has the duty of removing certain doubts about Perumal’s death,” he said.

BJP Tamil Nadu unit president Tamilisai Soundararajan told reporters that her party would intensify protests seeking prohibition.

MDMK, VCK, and MMK have given a bandh call on August 4 in the state seeking prohibition, to which CPI and CPI(M) have extended support.

Protests seeking prohibition, though sporadic, has been on in Tamil Nadu for the past several years by political parties and various groups.

A report from Salem quoting police said, Perumal’s eldest son fainted and was hospitalised.

It said DMDK leader Vijayakanth has handed over Rs one lakh in cash to the family of Perumal.

PTI