SIVAKASI
The two women, who attempted self-immolation at the MGR birth centenary celebration meeting here on Monday, in which Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami was present, were arrested along with a youth, who is said to have instigated them to enact the drama.
Inspector General of Police (South Zone) Shailesh Kumar Yadav said that the women – M. Kanagalakshmi and her mother-in-law Parvathi (50) – were instigated by A. Rengasamy of Rajapalayam to “enact a self-immolation drama” at the government function to “threaten” the police.
He had told them that such a drama would invite the attention of the media and would reach a larger section of society. The women had claimed that the police were harassing the family by implicating Kanagalakshmi’s husband Muniyasamy in a robbery case. The women were rescued by the police and people when they “attempted” self-immolation.
The police were on the lookout for Muniyasamy in connection with a robbery case only after two other accused, Cauvery Manian, a dismissed police constable, and Sakthivel, reportedly confessed that Muniyasamy was also involved in the crime.
During interrogation, the women had reportedly said that Rengasamy had given them this idea. Based on their confession, Tiruthangal police arrested all the three on charges of disobeying the order of the government servant, preventing government officials from discharging their duties, attempting suicide and under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu City Police Act.
Police sources said that they women had entered the function venue after the meeting had started. “They had made use of the laxity among the police personnel who failed to notice them carrying a can of five litres of kerosene concealed in a big shopper bag,” the source said.
Investigations would be conducted as to how the women could carry kerosene into the high-security area and whether there was any negligence on part of the police personnel on duty, and due action would be taken in this regard, Mr. Yadav said.