Strict laws to be invoked against those incite violence: TN CM

Virtually blaming Pattali Makkal Katchi for the April 25 violence at Marakkanam allegedly targeting Dalits, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayaalithaa today warned of invoking preventive detention laws against those who incite trouble.
Replying to a special call attention in the state assembly on the incident in Villupuram district, she said 10 cases had been filed in Kancheepuram and Villupuram in connection with the violence.
PMK's parent organisation, Vanniyar Sangam, had organised a function on that day at Mamallapuram and a section of those proceeding there from Puducherry were involved in violence, torching huts and government buses, besides damaging private property in Marakkanam area off East Coast Road, Jayalalithaa said.

The organisers had flouted various assurances and undertakings given to police regarding the event and this included winding up the programme at 11.35 PM, well beyond the accepted deadline of 10 PM, she said.
"Ramadoss (PMK founder leader) had stated 'I am speaking at 11.30 PM... File a case and I am not bothered'. As per his wish, a case has been filed and I hope he accepts his crime and also the punishment (to be awarded) by the court," the chief minister said.
Other assurances of not making provocative statements and avoiding controversial speakers, not damaging public and private property were also not adhered to, she said.

Chronicling the incidents that culminated in violence, the Chief Minister said about 30 persons proceeding for the function stopped their vehicles at Kadayam Colony in Marakkanam with some of them consuming alcohol.
When some locals objected to that, they were attacked by them. To protest the incident, demonstrations were held at East Coast Road (ECR), she said.
With the Adi Dravida community people raising apprehensions of further trouble if the PMK men proceeded on ECR, police asked them to take a different route, she said.