CHENNAI: AIADMK’s Perambur constituency candidate N R Dhanabalan had a close shave on Thursday after an unidentified man tried to attack him with a sickle while he was campaigning in the Vyasarpadi area. An AIADMK worker was injured in the attack and hospitalised. He suffered multiple injuries in the attack.
Police sources said that Dhanabalan was addressing a huge gathering when a miscreant wielding a sickle came from a corner and tried to attack him. While Dhanabalan managed toweave away, another party member standing near him was injured in the incident.
Following the attack, other AIADMK workers took Dhanabalan to a secluded place.
Police said that they have launched a search for the miscreant who attacked the candidate. “We suspect it to be a pre planned attack. We don’t know whether it is from the opponent party or due to internal issues brewing inside the party. We would be able to ascertain the motive behind the attack only if the miscreant is caught,” said an investigating officer.
“We are checking CCTV camera footage of the attack to establish the identity of the miscreant. He escaped on a bike that was parked a few metres away from the scene of crime,” he said. Based on a complaint, police are investigating. “The injured person did not intervene to protect his leader, but he suffered injuries accidentally. He did not notice the attacker holding a sickle,” said the officer.
Police said they had been receiving complaints from several places about attacks on vehicles of politicians. They have also received reports of protests by residents of many localities condemning visits of politicians to their areas. Police sources said that they have been asked to heighten security during the visit of political leaders who are campaigning in their respective constituencies.