Villagers staged a protest on the Chennai-Trichy National Highway, alleging police harassment following an incident where DMK Minister Ponmudi was attacked with mud during a Cyclone Fengal relief visit.
In December 2024, following the Fengal cyclone, a group of individuals allegedly attacked DMK Minister Ponmudi with mud during his visit to Villupuram, to distribute relief materials and assess the flood situation caused by the cyclone. They threw mud at him, staining his white shirt. The incident quickly went viral on social media, with initial reports suggesting that locals expressed anger at the Minister’s presence.
விழுப்புரத்தில் போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்டுள்ள மக்களிடம் பேச்சுவார்த்தை நடத்த சென்ற திமுக அமைச்சர் பொன்முடி மீது அப்பகுதி மக்கள் சேற்றை வாரி வீசியதாக தகவல் !#Ponmudi #FengalCyclone #DMKFailsTN pic.twitter.com/I0rK533BTX
— Bagavath Pratheep (@Bagavathprathee) December 3, 2024
The mud-throwing took place after Ponmudi arrived in Villupuram as part of the state government’s relief efforts following Cyclone Fengal, which struck the region on 30 November 2024. The cyclone caused widespread damage in Villupuram, breaking over 10 lakes, washing away culverts and roads, and submerging thousands of houses. Agricultural lands were also severely impacted, displacing many people.
Following the cyclone’s destruction, Chief Minister Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited flood-affected areas like Marakkanam to provide relief. Ponmudi, along with other officials, visited Iruvelpattu on the Villupuram-Trichy National Highway, where floodwaters severely damaged roads. It was during this visit that his car was blocked by angry residents who were frustrated with the delayed response.
The protesters, who had staged a road blockade, voiced their displeasure with the government’s relief efforts and questioned why officials had not arrived sooner. Police intervened, urging them to clear the blockade. Ponmudi and other officials briefly inspected the affected areas before leaving under pressure.
However, police sources alleged that the assailant was not a resident but Rama alias Ramakrishnan, a 24-year-old BJP sympathizer. Ramar alias Ramachandran is reportedly connected to the BJP, and his sister, Siddhi Vijayarani, is associated with the party. Authorities are investigating whether the incident was politically motivated.
Villagers Harassed By Police
Polimer News reported that the police have been visiting their homes day and night in the name of investigation and the family members allege harassment from the police. Relatives claim they are being harassed by police, who are reportedly threatening family members when the two “accused” are not at home. The police’s actions have drawn protests from villagers, who staged a demonstration on the Chennai-Trichy National Highway, disrupting traffic for over half an hour. The police held talks with the people staging the road blockade. When the protesters refused to disperse, the police attempted to arrest them. However, the women fought with the police and managed to rescue the youth.
The police also tried to drag an elderly man, who was pleading with them not to harm anyone, and attempted to put him in a police vehicle. The women intervened and rescued him as well. When the police entered the village as a group, an old woman, frightened by their presence, pleaded with them, saying, “Sir, these are our children, they have not made any mistake, please let them go.” As a result of the protest, traffic on the Chennai-Trichy National Highway was disrupted for half an hour.
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