VELLORE: Tension gripped Kaniyambadi after panchayat president S Babu and his supporters allegedly manhandled B Pichandi, the district treasurer of the All India Agriculture Workers’ Union (AIAWU), a part of CPM and ransacked his house, for organising a demonstration, to highlight public grievances and malpractices in implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) scheme.
The incident occurred around 11 pm on Tuesday. Babu and a group of his supporters barged into Pichandi’s house (56), a resident of Kattupudur and entered into a heated argument with him for mobilising villagers of the panchayat and neighbouring panchayats, to air their grievances during a protest scheduled on Wednesday. Babu and his supporters were absconding.
They foul-mouthed Pitchandi and assaulted him. “Babu’s sympathiser Govindaraj attacked me with an iron rod, injuring my shoulder while Babu slapped me and abused me. They entered the house forcibly. His supporters damaged a tap in the house,” Pichandi charged.
He was admitted to the Government Vellore Medical College and Hospital. “My wife and daughter are worried about my safety,” he added.
The incident sparked tense moments in the village. On information, striking force and the DSP of Vellore G Panneerselvam brought the situation under control.
Police picketing has also been deployed in the village to avert any untoward incident. Condemning the mischievous act, district secretary of CPM A Narayanan took the issue to the notice of police but in vain.
“The police did not file the first information report (FIR) till 6 30 pm on Wednesday despite lodging a complaint in connection with the incident. It is totally condemnable,” said Narayanan.
He said, the police should act in an unbiased manner and should take action under the Criminal Procedure Code. SP P Vijayakumar said, they were investigating and suitable action would be taken as per the the law.