TUTICORIN: The Vilathikulam police in Tuticorin district on Thursday registered cases against nearly 750 people including two sitting MLAs – one each from the AIADMK and DMK. The cases were in connection with party flag hoisting organised by the two parties near the Vilathikulam Bus stand that resulted in a scuffle between the AIADMK men and the police on Wednesday evening.
A case was registered against 250 AIADMK members, including Vilathikulam MLA P Chinnappan. A case was also registered against 500 DMK members, including Tuticorin MLA P Geetha Jeevan and former Vilathikulam MLA G V Markandayan.
They were booked under sections 143 (punishment for unlawful assembly), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 283 (danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation) of the Indian Penal Code.
For the flag hoisting event on Wednesday evening, the DMK sought permission from police three days ago. The AIADMK camp led by the MLA sought permission for their flag hoisting event at the same place at the same time – 5pm to 6pm – due to which permission was denied for the AIADMK side. There was a scuffle between the police and the AIADMK cadre when the police tried to stop them.
Led by MLA Chinnappan, the AIADMK staged a road blockade near the Vilathikulam bus stand for nearly half an hour, before they were pacified by deputy inspector general of police for Tirunelveli range Praveen Kumar Abinapu.