Violence perpetrated by sand smugglers continues unchecked in Tamil Nadu, with the latest incident involving a brazen attempt to murder Deivanayaki, the tehsildar of Illuppur taluk in Pudukkottai district, and her aides a few days ago in the Varaiapatti area by ramming their car with a truck on 17 June 2024.
This incident brings to mind the tragic case of Lourdes Francis, the village administrative officer of Murappanadu, who was murdered while actively combating instances of illegal sand mining in his village. His killing sent shockwaves throughout Tamil Nadu. The perpetrators, Rama Subramanian and Marimuthu, involved in this heinous act, have since been sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the disturbing pattern seems to be repeating with the recent attempt to ram the car of another tahsildar who was trying to curb sand smuggling in her jurisdiction.
BJP president K Annamalai, AIADMK party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami have condemned the incidents.
BJP president K Annamalai in his official X account stated that, “It was shocking to hear the news of an attempt to murder by ramming vehicle of tehsildar Deivanayaki and her aides, with a truck who were trying to stop sand smuggling in Pudukkottai district’s Illuppur. Ever since the DMK came to power, the anarchy of anti-social elements has increased throughout Tamil Nadu. Mr. Lourdes Francis, the village administrative officer who opposed the sand smuggling, was killed by the sand smugglers in his office. Even after such a crime, because the DMK government failed to take strict action, the sand smugglers continue to attack the government officials in Salem and Vellore.”
“Law and order in Tamil Nadu is falling into the abyss, with the lives of government officials insecure. Weapon culture prevails throughout Tamil Nadu. Police’s hands are tied and its operations are completely paralyzed. Instead of taking action against the sand smugglers, the DMK government is trying to hide the news from the public by threatening the media. But Chief Minister Stalin is wandering in a dream world without knowing anything about these.” Annamalai stated.
“The DMK government has completely failed in maintaining law and order which is the prime duty of the government. If DMK govt doesn’t wake up, I would like to inform you that @BJP4Tamilnadu will be forced to take part in statewide protests as a responsible opposition, insisting on public safety.” Annamalai further stated.
புதுக்கோட்டை மாவட்டம் இலுப்பூரில், மணல் கடத்தலைத் தடுக்க முயன்ற கோட்டாட்சியர் திருமதி தெய்வநாயகி மற்றும் அவரது உதவியாளர்கள் பயணம் செய்த வாகனம் மீது, லாரி ஏற்றிக் கொல்ல முயன்றிருக்கும் செய்தி மிகுந்த அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.
திமுக ஆட்சிக்கு வந்ததில் இருந்தே, தமிழகம் முழுவதும் சமூக… pic.twitter.com/Co9iNHsicI
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) June 17, 2024
Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami stated that under DMK rule, smuggling of sand and minerals, as well as deforestation, have become rampant. He highlighted the dangers faced by whistleblowers and enforcement officials, such as police and revenue department personnel, who risk being attacked or killed.
Palaniswami criticized the government for its inaction in apprehending the culprits responsible for the recent attempt on the tahsildar’s life. He also pointed out previous attacks by the sand mining mafia, citing the 2023 incident where Lourdes Francis, a village administrative officer in Thoothukudi district, was brutally murdered in his office. These incidents, he asserted, underscore a disturbing trend of violence targeting officials in the State.
திமுக ஆட்சி வந்தாலே – மணல் கடத்தல், கிராவல் மண் போன்ற கனிம வளங்கள் கடத்தல், மரம் வெட்டுதல் போன்ற பொது சொத்துக்கள் களவாடப்படுவது வாடிக்கையான ஒன்று. தமிழகத்தில் மணல் கடத்துபவர்கள் பற்றி துப்புக் கொடுப்பவர்களையும், மணல் கடத்தலை தடுக்கும் வருவாய் மற்றும் காவல்துறையினர் மீது கொலை வெறி…
— Edappadi K Palaniswami – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) June 17, 2024
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