CHENNAI: Condemning the arrest of Tamil daily Dina Bhoomi editor S Manimaran and his reporter son M Rameshkumar, AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa demanded that the police withdraw the cases filed against them for publishing news items on the smuggling of granite worth crores of rupees from quarries and flouting government rules.
Jayalalithaa said, "The repressive measures against journalists and attack on freedom of the press clearly showed that the DMK was heading towards its final days. She alleged that the cases were filed under non-bailable sections, at the instigation of Union chemicals and fertilizer minister M K Alagiri."
She also alleged that when the cases came up for hearing, the state government did not oppose it "as advised" by the chief minister. She added that even certain clauses of the cases were cancelled.
The opposition leader said, "This clearly shows that the cases filed against them are false and that the arrests of journalists were under the chief minister's instructions. As there is a huge opposition from journalists and the newspaper industry, the chief minister has advised officials not to oppose the bail application. This only shows the double role played by Karunanidhi, reminding us of the proverb 'rocking the cradle and pinching the baby'," Jayalalithaa said.
The former chief minister, who alleged that the police were moving to file fresh cases against the journalists, asked them to withdraw all the cases.
Manimaran calls on Jaya: Manimaran called on Jayalalithaa at her Poes Garden residence on Saturday.