Ensure law and order in state: Madras high court tells Tamil Nadu government

Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the state government to ensure maintenance of law and order and peace throughout the state in view of the Periyar statue controversy created by BJP leader H.Raja.

Closing a PIL filed by advocate A.P.Suryaprakasam, which sought a direction to the police to take necessary action to maintain peace in the state in view of the present Periyar statue controversy, the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose gave the directive.

In his petition, advocate Suryaprakasam submitted that Raja’s irresponsible speech has instigated violence in the state resulting in attack on a Periyar statue by BJP cadres in Tirupathur and sacred threads of 15 persons were cut by miscreants in Chennai.

Over 8 lakh students were writing their plus two board exams, any disruption of law and order would shatter the future ambitions of the students.

The tense situation across the state in view of Raja’s tweet has affected the free movement of people, Suryaprakasam added.

Additional advocate general P.H.Arvindh Pandian submitted that the government has already seized of the matter and has ensured adequate protection to Periyar statues across the state. Four persons involved in violence have been taken into custody, he added.

Recording the submissions, the bench suo motu impleaded the state government and gave the above directive.