Kanimozhi Flags Law and Order After Panchayat Chief’s Death
In a post on her X page, Kanimozhi said it was shocking that a people’s representative was killed while negotiating with residents over a drinking water issue
TIRUNELVELI: DMK deputy general secretary and Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has alleged that the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu has deteriorated following the death of a 68-year-old panchayat president after he was hit by a brick during a protest over erratic water supply near Valliyoor, in Tirunelveli district.
Maharajan, president of Kannanallur panchayat in Valliyoor panchayat union, was attempting to pacify residents protesting on Friday at Thamaraikulam village over the erratic supply of drinking water when one of the protesters allegedly threw a brick at him. The brick struck Maharajan's head, causing him to swoon.
The protesters rushed him to the Nanguneri government hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
In a post on her X page, Kanimozhi said it was shocking that a people’s representative was killed while negotiating with residents over a drinking water issue and alleged that the assailant had managed to flee. She claimed that the incident reflected the deteriorating law and order situation under the TVK government and alleged that children, women and elected representatives were no longer safe in the state.
Kanimozhi urged the authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances leading to Maharajan’s death, immediately arrest those responsible and bring them to justice.
The Valliyoor police, who have registered a case and arrested a daily wage earner, Esakkiappan, (40), in connection with the murder, however, denied that the incident was the result of a law and order issue, saying that the fatal attack was committed in a fit of rage during an altercation.
