In a troubling episode in Cuddalore, a mob, allegedly instigated by a DMK councillor, targeted the residence of an ex-serviceman. The reason behind the attack was the presence of CCTV cameras, which the ex-serviceman had installed to secure his house and also to monitor the streets.
The former soldier residing in Dhanalakshmi Nagar, Manjakuppam, Kadalur, had taken measures to secure his home with 12 CCTV cameras. He had highlighted individuals engaging in suspicious and criminal activities by taking a screenshot of the CCTV footage and naming them in banners.
In one of the banners, he had targeted DMK Councillor of the 12 ward, T. Prasanna Kumar saying “T. Prasanna Kumar, the son of Thandavarayan, a person who committed big violence and caste clashes, and his henchmen. Even if they tear this banner, the court won’t leave without arresting.”
However, a few neighbours alleged that Arul was using their images and putting up banners outside his house calling them criminals. Apparently, they had complained to the police for the removal of the cameras.
According to a report by Polimer News, it is alleged that instead one of the cameras was taken away by municipal authorities at the behest of the DMK Concillor.
The situation escalated when, on the night of the incident, accompanying DMK councillor Prasanna Kumar, a group of Arul’s neighbours entered his house, demanding to know why he had called them criminals.
The confrontation resulted in a heated argument, and Arul handed over a CSR copy of a complaint filed regarding one of the persons in the mob.
The dispute took a violent turn when a camera was broken at the gate. Following this, one of them broke the CCTV cameras fixed on the walls of the exterior.
A police official who arrived on the spot confronted the people and asked them how they could barge into Arul’s home. The police then asked all the onlookers and neighbours to disperse from the area. The neighbours alleged that the CCTV cameras had been positioned to spy on other houses in the street. Upon investigation, it was found that the CCTV cameras were not focused on any particular house but only the street. The police investigated the CCTV footage, identified those involved in the attack, and asked for a complaint to be filed by the ex-serviceman. The Pudhunagar Police of Cuddalore has filed a case against the DMK Councillor and have initiated an inquiry.
SG Suryah Calls For Immediate Action
Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party Secretary of State, Dr. SG Suryah met with the press along with the party’s Cuddalore district head, Velu Venkatesan, Cuddalore East district General Secretary, Agni Krishnamoorthy, Ex-Army Wing BJP State Vice President and in-charge, Balasubramaniam, and Secretary of the same wing, Ramachandran, Vice President of the same wing, Commando Anand, General Secretaries of the Cuddalore City, Mani Indrajith and Mr. Senthil Kumar along with Senthamarai Kannan, Mr. Aranganathan, Mr. Praveen participated in the press meet.
He said that in the 12th ward, in Manjakuppam in Cuddalore, where former soldier Arul who spent 16 years of his life in the Army has been doing public service in his area and working towards solving the social issues in his area.
SG Suryah alleged that the Councillor of the 12th Ward, Prasanna Kumar, a member of the DMK has been harassing Arul for quite some time. Suryah alleged that since Prasanna Kumar was the councillor he did not bear seeing someone else doing good work in that ward.
On 23 October 2023, on Ayudha Puja, he and several others barged into Arul’s home and broke the CCTV cameras in and around his home. When this was happening, Vel Murugan, a BJP member happened to pass by that way and witnessing the happenings informed the police about it. A police officer came to that locality immediately and upon his pacification, only the DMK members left the place.
The footage recorded in the CCTV shows the men barging into the home and causing damage to the CCTVs and this has been shared with the media and the police.
The members of the Ex-Army wing visited Arul’s home and gathered the details and an FIR has been filed.
Suryah questioned why no arrest had been made yet even though the FIR was filed. “A sitting councillor is involved in anarchy but no arrest made yet. They have attacked and threatened a former soldier of the army“, he said.
Suryah also added that if BJP members post something on Facebook or share a meme on Twitter, several police officers are sent behind them to have them arrested and torture them, without even giving the 41A notice.
The BJP leader also accused the police of acting according to the whims and fancies of the ruling DMK government and that it was under the control of the DMK. Even after filing an FIR, no arrest has been made in these past 8 days after committing such a big crime. He said he wondered if the police were working for the DMK or the public.
Suryah also said that the BJP condemned the failure to arrest after 8 days and asked the police to immediately arrest the DMK councillor, Prasanna Kumar.
“If they don’t do so, the next steps would be discussed with the state leadership and informed to the people. It could be a protest or a meeting with the DGP.“, he said.
He also added that he firmly believed DMK would lose power soon and all wrongdoers would be punished.
#DMK Cuddalore Corporation 12th Ward Councillor Prasanna Kumar barged into the house of Ex-Army Man Mr.Arul & attacked him mercilessly, broke CCTV Cameras with his goons. Just FIR registered & no ARREST yet. Is law different for DMK men Mr. CM @mkstalin ?pic.twitter.com/0HThul18RP
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) October 31, 2023
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