Chennai: The state government has warned of stringent action against those vandalising the statues of rationalist leader Periyar and said police protection to statues of various leaders across TN has been enhanced.
Responding to a special call attention motion moved by Opposition parties in the State Assembly on damage to Periyar statues in Tiruppattur and Pudukkottai, on Wednesday, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said the person, who had vandalised the statue in Pudukkottai, was arrested within 12 hours. He was identified as CRPF jawan S. Senthil Kumar and he was in an inebriated condition.
With regard to the Thirupattur incident, following a complaint by DK member Elangovan, the police registered a case arrested two BJP functionaries: Muthukumar and Francis, the CM informed and warned that the government would not remain silent against those damaging public property, especially the statues of leaders. “However big they may be, strict action will be taken without partiality,” Mr Palaniswami said.
Earlier, raising the issue, DMK working president M. K. Stalin wanted to know why no action was taken against BJP national secretary H. Raja, for his controversial Facebook post leading to vandalising the Periyar statue. He demanded Raja’s arrest and detention under Goondas Act. Had the state government acted swiftly against him immediately after the Tiruppattur incident, the Pudukkottai incident would not have occurred, he added.
Meanwhile, the CRPF jawan arrested for the incident was suffering from Schizophrenia has been undergoing psychiatric treatment since February, the CRPF clarified. He was on a 30-day leave from March 14 at his native place in Tamil Nadu and has been suspended in the wake of the incident.
Head constable S. Senthil Kumar (35) was arrested from his house in Vidhuti village on Tuesday night after the CCTV footage obtained from the area showed him damaging the statue in an inebriated state, Pudukottai district police said.
