Violence at DMK party function
Violence broke out between two factions of the DMK at the birthday celebrations of the party’s leader M.Karunanidhi
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-07-13 06:46 GMT
Salem: Violence broke out between two factions of the DMK at the birthday celebrations of the party’s leader M.Karunanidhi in Salem on Sunday. The birthday function, organised and presided over by Veerapandi Raja, son of former minister Veerapandi Arumugam, witnessed violence as a group of persons barged into the venue and tore banners, damaged the stage and broke microphones and tables. Police said that the members of the rival faction were supporters of advocate Rajendran, a staunch supporter of M.K. Stalin.
The Omalur police have registered a case in this regard and a search is on for those involved in violence. At around 8.45 pm, when arrangements were on for the distribution of freebies at the function to be presided by the party’s district incharge (East) Veerapandi Raja at Pahalpatti panchayat near Omalur, the members of the rival faction unleashed violence and fled from the spot. The function was then held at a place little away from the scheduled spot.
Party sources said that following the demise of Veerapandi Arumugam, his son Veerapandi Raja and advocate Rajendran have been heading factional groups. They were at loggerheads as both of them vied for the post of district secretary (central). The party had appointed Rajendran as incharge for Salem district (central) and Raja was appointed as incharge for Salem district (East). As Raja organised birthday celebrations in the party’s central district, the rival faction had unleashed violence.