AIADMK say 'No' people over 50 yrs

May 03 2016 : The Times of India (Chennai)

Over 50? AIADMK won't let you attend meetings

Shanmughasundaram J





Attacked by opposition parties for the deaths of five people at Jayalalithaa's rallies, AIADMK has said people over 50 should not attend their public meetings. On Monday, the National Human Rights Commission sought a report on the deaths, reportedly due to exposure to the sun, from the police and chief secretary within two weeks.The party has sent instructions to all district-level organisers to stop bringing elderly people for election campaign meetings. For the upcoming meeting on May 10 at Vedal village near Arakkonam, for instance, party leaders expressly told organisers not to bus senior citizens in to swell the audience.

“We have also been instructed to provide food and water to people coming to the campaign meeting. We have been strictly told not to assemble the cadres at the venue before 3 pm. Amma (as party chief Jayalalithaa is known) is scheduled to arrive at the venue between 5pm and 5.30pm,“ said an AIADMK member in-charge of organising the programme. The AIADMK has issued these instructions after five people died while waiting for Jayalalithaa in the sun at public meetings in Cuddalore, Virudhunagar and Salem districts. Several others suffered heat-related illnesses.
The DMK and the PMK took immediately took up the issue and sought the intervention of NHRC. They alleged that the AIAMDK transported thousands of people to the meeting venue and forced them to wait in the scorching heat for several hours. They were neither provided with drinking water nor allowed to move out of the venue to use toilets, they said. “The opposition is trying to take advantage of these incidents. We believe our leader took the decision to negate the opponent's charges,“ said another party member in Vellore.





political parties ropes in children for election campaigns

May 03 2016 : The Times of India (Chennai) They cost less, demand no liquor, and  their nimble hands pass on pamphlets  shanmughasundaram.j@timesgroup.com   Though Violation Of Model Code, Kids Are Used In Campaign Throwing the Election Commission's warnings to the wind, many political  parties have been eng aging children in campaigning in Vellore.For political parties and their campaign managers, the energetic young boys  are a whole package. They distribute pamphlets, and whistle and dance to the  tunes of songs to keep the campaigns lively. They are also not as demanding  as the party cadres and adults, and therefore considered cost-effective campaign tools. “The young boys are a vital cog to propel the final phase of the election campaign. They enjoy every bit of the action and never complain like the adults (party cadres). They easily draw the attention of the public,“ said a campaign manager. Campaign managers say that some children volunteer to take part while a few accompany their relatives. “I had come with my uncle,“ said Naveen, who  is under 12 years, waving the BJP's saffron flag. He was spotted campaigning with a group of boys aged between 14 and 16 years at Palar Garden, a residential area oppo site the district police office in Sathuvachari. For many boys hailing from poor  families, it is a win-win situation.  They  enjoy the school holidays  by going around the city with their  friends, travel in  autos, and distribute pamphlets in the residential areas and to  passers by. At the  end of the fun-filled day, they will get between `75 and `150,  apart from lunch and soft drinks. “I came with my friends in twowheelers in a rally with party flags. Though it was a hot day and tiring, I enjoyed it. It is a jolly trip for us. We have also got `100 each,“ said a boy, aged about 14.His friends seconded what he  had to say. These boys came along with PMK cadres on Friday when the party's candidate was filing his nomination papers. A campaign manager said they have to pay between `200 and `300 and provide biriyani for lunch for the cadres coming for the campaign. Many demand liquor at the end of the day. “Young boys are less of a hassle. They cost only one third,“ he said. When questioned whether having children is a violation of the model code of  conduct, he tersely replied that they did not compel them (young boys) to come  for the campaign.  

More paramilitary forces sought in Vellore for poll

Apr 30 2016 : The Times of India (Chennai)

SENSITIVE ISSUE - More paramilitary forces sought in Vellore for poll

Shanmughasundaram J





Based on their assess ment of threats to law and order in Vellore district from caste, community and religious factors, state and central intelligence agencies have asked for a strong contingent of paramilitary forces stationed in the district during election.

Sixteen companies of paramilitary forces, each having 80 and 100 personnel, are expected to be deployed in Vellore district. “We will have reinforcements if the situation demands for more.In 2011 election, 12 companies were deployed here,“ said a senior police officer.
Police sources say they have taken measures anticipating trouble but would need more legs on the ground to secure the area.

Among the major areas of concern is the PMK going alone in the election, which could affect community relationships in northern districts of the state. Vanniyardominated areas such as Sholinghur, Arcot and Anaicut and pockets like Ambur, Arcot and Vaniyambadi towns that have a high Muslim population have been classified as vulnerable areas in the district. Recollecting the June, 2015 riot following the death of a Muslim youth, police officials said that “fundamentalists“ might try to instigate hatred now for political mileage. 

The BJP has fielded its candidate in Ambur constituency in which nearly 50 policemen and women were seriously injured in the riot. The party has taken up the riot as a campaign theme.

The district witnessed brutal murders of BJP leader Dr Arvind Reddy in October 23, 2012 and Hindu Munnani leader S Vellaiyappan on July 1, 2013. A six-member gang tried to bump off BJP's state vice president of endowment cell Sivaprakasam, 60, on January 1 this year in Vaniyambadi Town.Sivaprakasam sustained grievous injuries in the attack. The police are yet to identify the perpetrators.

Similarly , there were incidents when a group of unidentified men pelted stones at the vehicle of VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan near Walajapet last year. Superintendent of Police of Vellore P Pakalavan said that they have identified 71 locations as vulnerable areas in 13 constituencies.





Inmates make liquor within high walls of Vellore central prison

Apr 24 2016 : The Times of India (Chennai) Thirsty prisoners devise way to make  own liquor, caught Shanmughasundaram J Vellore   A group of four inmates of the Vellore Central Prison for Men here may or may not  know the popular saying of Greek philosopher Plato necessity is the mother of  invention, but they demonstrated it.Though they are cut off from the outside  world, they have found ways and means to quench their thirst for liquor. The four, including Ramu and Murugan, habitual offenders, and lodged in the remand prisoners block succeeded in brewing their own brand of liquor with fruits and jaggery  given to them by relatives during their visits to prison. But, prison staff soon sniffed  out the brew doing brisk business on the prison campus. On Tuesday , a chief head warder noticed the inmates acting weirdly when he was on  a routine check of the block. Growing suspicious, he checked them and was shocked to see a bucket with more than 10 litres of liquor made of fruits and sugar. With limited resources, the prisoners had managed to make the brew. The remand  prisoners, lodged in prison in connection with robbery and theft cases, have ventured into brewing the spirit for the last two weeks. “The four inmates used fruits, particularly pomegranate and orange, wheat and jaggery to make the liquor,“ said a senior prison official on condition of anonymity . Explaining their modus operandi, the official said the inmates stocked the fruits  brought by their relatives, friends and family members and fermented it. They sourced wheat and jaggery discreetly from the prison kitchen and mixed it with the  fermented fruits and added water to it. They stirred them together and filled it in a bucket, which was buried near their block, said a reliable source in prison. The inmates were caught in the act, said the official and added that the department has taken disciplinary action against them under the provision of the Prison Manual Rules. “We have suspended interviews of the prisoners for two months. They will be  not allowed to meet their relatives and friends during this period,“ he added.

Gang tries to kill men who sheltered inter-caste couple

Apr 20 2016 : The Times of India (Chennai)

Gang tries to kill men who sheltered inter-caste couple

Shanmughasundaram J

KancheepuramVellore:





Girl's Family May Be Behind Attack

The family members of a 21year-old vanniyar girl, who married a dalit youth, allegedly assaulted the members of Makkal Mantram, an NGO in Kancheepuram, for sheltering the couple. After running for more than 5km through fields on Monday , Bala Murugan and Thanjai Tamil, both 29 years old, escaped from a six-member gang that followed them with deadly weapons. Tamil sustained injuries on his forehead and mouth, while Murugan escaped with minor injuries.The two were targeted by the gang for apparently sheltering K Santhiya, daughter of N Kirubanandham, and her husband C Sivaraman, who is a dalit. Fearing for their lives, the couple approached the NGO seeking protection from caste fanatics, alleged Geetha of Makkal Mantram.
Tamil and Murugan were on a bike heading towards Orikkai village around 7.30pm from the NGO's cam pus in Mangalapadi.
“When we were nearing Vandavasi bypass road, two men waved at us showing an empty bottle. We stopped thinking that their bike was out of fuel,“ said Murugan.
“They questioned us about the whereabouts of Santhiya and her husband. And then from nowhere other people ran towards us shouting `hack them, hack them',“ said Murugan. They ran towards a field to save themselves.
The Kancheepuram police recorded their statements and launched an inquiry .

Rebellion continues: DMK cadre to fight as independent in Polur

Apr 18 2016 : The Times of India (Chennai)

Rebellion continues: DMK cadre to fight as independent in Polur





Facing a virtual rebellion over selection of candi dates in some constituencies, the DMK has replaced a few of its original nominees.On Sunday, the party announced that Bhavani would contest from Sholavandan constituency instead of Sri Priya.However, it faces another challenge in Polur After the party denied him a ticket for the May 16 poll, DMK Chetpet union secretary C E Elumalai has decided to contest in Polur constituency as an independent candidate.
Elumalai has also taken out a rally with his supporters in Polur Town on Saturday to express his displeasure over the party's candidate selection for the constituency . After garlanding Arignar Anna statue, he said he would contest the election as an independent candidate. He was confident of defeating the party's official candidate K V Manoharan and other candidates in the fray .
Bowing to the demands of irate party men, the DMK last week announced that N Rajkumar would contest from Arakkonam (reserved) seat in place of S Bhavani and M Ramachandran in place of S S Rajkumar at Orathandu in Thanjavur district. On April 15, a band of DMK workers staged a protest outside party chief M Karunanidhi's residence.
In Vellore, the cadres in Vaniyambadi have also protested against the party's decision to allot the constituency to the alliance party -IUML. The party cadres said that the party high command relook into its decision and field one of the functionaries the constituency. They also raised slogan against the IUML.
On the other hand, party's Anaicut Union (West) secretary M Babu and party candidate for Anaicut A P Nandhakumar have buried the hatchet and commenced the election campaign in the constituency on Sunday . A few days ago, Babu's supporters picketed the party office in Vellore City for fielding Nandhakumar, an outsider. They have also assaulted Nandhakumar and T A Mohammed Saqhy , party's district presidium chairperson and former MP , when they came to the office on Thursday . Sources said party leader M K Stalin intervened and ended the animosity .





Big men do cry -- for votes

Big men do cry -- for votes

Shanmughasundaram J





Crying and singing and showing excessive emotion has always been part of Tamil culture. The roots of this can be traced to ancient texts and epics in which crying and singing wasn't relegated to just women alone.It does seem that Tamil men are hardwired to cry in public. And during elections, they cry more often.
On Sunday , faced with dissension within the Vellore DMK party over ticket distribution, Duraimurugan started addressing a party volunteers meeting by responding to al legations by dissidents. Then he listed the development projects implemented in Vellore during his tenure as minister.Duraimurugan said that he wanted to establish a government medical college in the constituency , but then AIADMK minister Pandurangan, who won from Anaicut constituency in 2006, took the project to his constituency . Then with his voice breaking, he said: “Death will come to me one day . When my mortal remains are taken out on a procession, the people should remember what I did for them.“
The eight time MLA said that he was determined to bring the multi-specialty hospital this time and establish an arts and science college in the constituency . “Won't you say that this is the man who brought court buildings, university (Thiruvalluvar University) and built bridges when my mortal remains are carried in procession?“ he said, wiping his tears.
The cadres also started crying and shouted out, “nothing will happen to you“.

The women and men cadres started crying and said that “nothing will happen to you”. Mohammed Saqhy, former MP and party presidium chairperson, and others in the dais cajoled him. The speech has given a much needed push for Durai Murugan, who faced a tough fight during last election against AIADMK candidate S R K Appu (alias) S Radhakrishnan. He won the election with a margin of around 2,000 votes.

However, this is not the first time the seasoned politician shed tears in public and party meetings. During the election campaign in Shenbakkam, which was annexed in the constituency in 2008 delimitation process, he shed tears for vote.

He even cried in an election campaign at Latheri, one of his strongholds, asking the people to vote for him in 2001 election. Durai Murugan had then said that he would retire from politics, if his constituency people did not elect him in the election./eom/shan/