VELLORE: A 27-year-old IT graduate and the son of a farmer was arrested for sharing a self-made video on Facebook in which he allegedly threatened Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the district collector and the superintendent of police of Vellore for the continuing plunder of sand from Palar river.
Vigneshwaran, a native of Thirumalaicheri village near Walajah, was charged under Section 67 of the IT Act, and Sections 506 (1) and (2) (Criminal intimidation) and 294 (b) (abusing with foul language) of the Indian Penal Code.
Son of a farmer who owns about 13 acres of land in Thirumalaicheri village, Vigneshwaran graduated in IT from a reputed private institution here two years ago.
On 14th August, Vigneshwaran allegedly posted a video, taken on his phone, against sand smuggling on Facebook in which he alleged that sand smuggling from Palar was done in connivance with the state government for the past 12 years.He blamed chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami as the main reason for this, followed by the collector and police superintendent.
WATCH VIDEO: Video threatening Tamil Nadu CM over sand mining
Urging authorities to understand the plight of farmers who are at the receiving end of inconsiderate mining, Vigneshwaran then threatened to hack Edappadi K Palaniswami, the collector and the SP if they fail to act.
In the video, he later apologises for turning emotional, but breaks into a tirade again for not controlling mining in the river.
As the video went viral on several WhatsApp groups in the district on Tuesday, police registered a case and conducted an inquiry with two people in Vellore. Vigneshwaran was arrested from Walajah on Tuesday evening.
E Vijayakumar, deputy superintendent of police, Ranipet, said police could not take his threats lightly. "We have also asked Facebook to remove the video and delete his page," he added.