A 17-year-old boy succumbed to rabies after failing to seek medical attention for a dog bite in Ramanathapuram district, highlighting growing concerns over the rising number of dog bite cases in the state.

The victim, identified as Raja Prakash, son of Ramanathan and a resident of Kuruvikaaran Street, Annanagar, worked at a local butcher shop. Officials reported that Raja was bitten by a stray dog nearly two months ago but neglected to get vaccinated or visit a hospital.

Within days, he began exhibiting unusual symptoms. His parents admitted him to Ramanathapuram Government Hospital, where doctors diagnosed rabies and referred him to Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital for advanced treatment. Despite medical intervention, Raja’s condition worsened, and he passed away on Wednesday night.

Raja’s body was returned to Ramanathapuram, where over 100 people attended his funeral. As a precaution, the district health department administered rabies vaccinations to all attendees.

This incident follows another recent rabies death in Tamil Nadu. Karunanidhi, 55, a construction worker from Varadalampattu village in Vellore district, died after being bitten by a stray dog on 5 September. Despite family advice, he ignored the wound. Admitted to Adukkamparai Government Hospital on 21 September 2025, he passed away on 23 September 2025.

Data from the Department of Public Health and Disease Prevention indicates a concerning trend. In 2021, over 3.19 lakh people were bitten by dogs, resulting in 19 rabies deaths. The numbers rose to 3.64 lakh bites with 28 deaths in 2022 and 4.41 lakh bites with 18 deaths in 2023. In 2025 alone, more than 3.6 lakh dog bites have been reported, with 22 deaths so far.

Health experts caution that untreated dog bites or incomplete vaccination can be fatal. Rabies symptoms typically appear within three weeks to three months and may include difficulty breathing, fear of water and light, memory loss, and sensitivity to wind.

Authorities are urging citizens to immediately seek medical care and complete post-exposure vaccination if bitten by a dog.

(With inputs from ETV Bharat)

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The post Rabies Deaths Mount In Dravidian Tamil Nadu: 17-Year-Old Dies After Dog Bite Neglected appeared first on The Commune.

The Tamil Nadu BJP has officially announced the appointment of Aditya Sethupathi, a descendant of the historic royal family of Ramanathapuram, as the State General Secretary of its youth wing.

 

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Aditya Sethupathi belongs to the lineage of Bhaskara Sethupathi, the erstwhile ruler of the Ramanathapuram princely state, who is widely remembered for supporting Swami Vivekananda’s iconic journey to the 1893 Parliament of World Religions in Chicago. This moment played a crucial role in introducing Hindu philosophy to the global stage.

Carrying forward this legacy, Aditya brings with him a background of active political engagement. During his student years, he was involved with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), where he held the position of State Joint Secretary. His organizational experience spans several regions across India, including Delhi, Assam, and other northeastern states. Notably, he also served as the District Organizational Secretary for JNU in Delhi.

Now stepping into a prominent role within the Tamil Nadu BJP, Aditya Sethupathi’s induction is seen as a strategic move to energize the youth base. His presence is expected to attract young supporters and strengthen the party’s outreach ahead of the 2026 state elections.

With a combination of royal heritage and grassroots political experience, Aditya Sethupathi’s appointment marks a significant addition to the BJP’s leadership in Tamil Nadu, positioning the party as an emerging platform for politically engaged youth in the state.

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Actor, part-time politician and founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Vijay, is likely to contest from a constituency in the Ramanathapuram district during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Though the elections are still a year away, preparations are already underway. TVK has begun groundwork, including conducting multiple surveys across several constituencies to assess its prospects.

Sources within the party indicate that Vijay is considering Ramanathapuram due to its significant coastal and fishing community population.

The actor-politician has been vocal about issues affecting Tamil Nadu fishermen and has previously addressed public meetings highlighting their plight.

Notably, Vijay spoke out at a major rally in Nagapattinam against the frequent arrests of Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

During that address, he openly criticised both the ruling DMK government in the state and the NDA government at the Centre for their inaction.

A senior TVK leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said: “Vijay wants to be among the downtrodden and take up their cause as a politician. Ramanathapuram, being a coastal district constantly in the news due to the recurring arrests of fishermen, is a natural choice for him.”

The decision is also reportedly being shaped by election strategist Prashant Kishor, who is currently serving as an advisor to Vijay. Kishor was also present at the first anniversary celebrations of TVK held recently in Kancheepuram district.

TVK’s political symbolism was further established on August 22, 2024, when Vijay unveiled the party’s official flag and song at its headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai. This was followed by the party’s first major political conference on October 27, 2024, in Vikravandi, Villupuram district. The event drew an estimated crowd of three lakh people. At the Vikravandi rally, Vijay delivered a fiery speech, launching scathing attacks on both the DMK and the BJP.

He labelled the DMK as his political adversary, and the BJP his ideological opponent. He accused the DMK of being a family-run party that exploits the Dravidian identity for personal gain, while also denouncing the BJP’s divisive agenda.

The DMK dismissed these allegations, claiming that Vijay was indirectly aiding the BJP. Senior DMK leaders even referred to TVK as the “C team” of the BJP in an attempt to downplay its political impact. It is noteworthy to mention that Prashant Kishor had previously worked for the DMK during the 2021 Assembly elections. Along with him, ‘Lottery’ Martin’s son-in-law Aadhav Arjuna who had also previously worked as a strategist for the DMK is now in Vijay’s TVK. With the entry of TVK, it is but natural for the anti-DMK votes to split which leads to the conclusion that TVK is the B-Team of DMK unless Vijay strikes an alliance with the AIADMK.

With momentum building, all eyes are now on TVK’s upcoming General Council meeting on March 28. Vijay is expected to unveil the party’s electoral roadmap and future plans for the 2026 Assembly.

–IANS

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Of late, several cases of sexual harassment are being reported on a daily basis especially from government schools. However, this time the case took a drastic turn.

A government schoolteacher in Ramanathapuram district died by suicide while under investigation for alleged sexual harassment of female students.

According to sources, the police, school education department officials, and child welfare officers had launched an inquiry into the allegations when the teacher was found dead on Tuesday (18 February 2025) morning. Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the case.

The body was sent for post-mortem examination, and officials stated that the exact cause of death will be confirmed following the autopsy report. Investigations are ongoing.

#JUSTIN | போக்ஸோ குற்றச்சாட்டு – ஆசிரியர் விபரீத முடிவு#Ramanathapuram | #Suicide | #Govtteacher pic.twitter.com/TznUsLxUfT

— PuthiyathalaimuraiTV (@PTTVOnlineNews) February 19, 2025

(With inputs from Tamil Indian Express)

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The post Ramanathapuram: Govt School Teacher Dies By Suicide Amid POCSO Investigation appeared first on The Commune.

A shocking incident similar to the recent Anna University campus sexual harassment case has occurred in Ramanathapuram district, sparking widespread concern about women’s safety in the state.

On 31 December 2024, police arrested four men for allegedly threatening and sexually assaulting a young woman near Ramanathapuram.

The attack took place when the young woman was traveling with a male friend of hers to the Puthanendal area. They were intercepted by four men, who assaulted both the woman and her male friend. The perpetrators also sexually harassed the woman during the incident.

Following the assault, the victim filed a complaint at the Ramanathapuram Town police station. The police have since arrested four suspects from Puthanendal —identified as Bhuvanesh kumar, Saran, Selva kumar, and Muneesh kannan—and an investigation is underway.

#JUSTIN | ராமநாதபுரத்திலும் பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை

ராமநாதபுரம் அடுத்த புத்தேந்தல் பகுதியில் ஆண் நண்பருடன் இருந்த பெண்ணுக்கு பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை

பெண்ணின் ஆண் நண்பரை தாக்கி விட்டு,
4 பேர் கொண்ட கும்பல் பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை; 4 பேரையும் பிடித்து போலீசார் விசாரணை#Ramanathapuram | #Police |… pic.twitter.com/QWhF5CVden

— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) December 31, 2024

(With Inputs From Dinamani)

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The recent drug seizure in Chennai’s Kilambakkam has reignited concerns about whether the state continues to suffer due to drug smuggling activities it struggled to contain before. This anxiety is reminiscent of the period leading up to the elections when Tamil Nadu experienced a series of high-profile drug busts. During that time, there were widespread fears that the state was slipping into a drug-prevalent culture.

Now, a new seizure valued at ₹70 crore has surfaced, involving a prominent figure— the Vice President of the Minority Welfare Wing in the ruling DMK party. Additionally, it’s worth noting that an international drug peddler, Jaffer Sadiq, who was also an NRI wing head of the DMK, was recently arrested by the NCB and is currently under investigation for running a drug cartel.

This is a grave issue, as drug traffickers are openly smuggling drugs through international waters to neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, which threatens national security. It’s particularly alarming whether Ramanathapuram has become a hub for these activities. Despite a series of significant drug busts in the area over the past few months, trafficking continues unabated. The latest case involves Syed Ibrahim, who was recently expelled from the DMK party and had plans to traffic methamphetamine to Ramanathapuram to facilitate smuggling operations to Sri Lanka.

In light of this situation, it is important to review previous drug seizures, particularly those in Ramanathapuram.

Drug Bust 1

Ex-DMK functionary Syed Ibrahim‘s operation to smuggle ₹70 crore worth of methamphetamine to Ramanathapuram and subsequently to Sri Lanka was thwarted, and the drugs were seized by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) based on intelligence on 24 July 2024. Three individuals have been arrested after the seizure. The arrested include Bysul Rahman and Ibrahim from Ramanathapuram and Mansoor from Chennai. It should be noted that Syed Ibrahim, who holds the Vice President post of the DMK Minority Welfare Wing, was expelled from the party on 30 July 2024.

The NCB had intensified their surveillance across various locations, including bus stands, railway stations, and airports in Chennai, following a tip-off about drug trafficking. On 24 July 2024, at the Kilambakkam bus stand, a passenger from Ramanathapuram was intercepted and found to own 5.970 kg of methamphetamine. His confession led to the arrest of two additional suspects and the discovery of a godown near Redhills, where 954 grams of methamphetamine and ₹7 lakh in cash were found.

In total, 6.920 kg of methamphetamine was seized, with an estimated market value of around ₹70 crore. Additionally, ₹7 lakh in cash was confiscated. The accused were reportedly planning to smuggle the drugs to Sri Lanka through Ramanathapuram, according to P Aravindhan, Zonal Director of the NCB in Chennai.

Drug Bust 2

On 11 March 2024, Customs Preventive in Trichy successfully thwarted a drug smuggling attempt, seizing 100 kilograms of hashish valued at ₹110 crore and 876 kilograms of ganja worth ₹1.05 crore in Mimisal in Tamil Nadu’s Pudukottai district. 

Responding to a tip-off, Trichy Central Intelligence Division Customs officers confiscated 400 bags of drugs concealed in a shrimp farm near Mimisal, intended for smuggling to Sri Lanka using a country boat through the Tondi Sea. Authorities are actively pursuing Sultan from SP Pattinam, suspected of being involved in drug smuggling. Acting on details provided to the Customs Department of Trichy Central Intelligence Division, investigators examined a fish trading company and shrimp farms along the Ramanathapuram district border last night.

In the course of the searches, authorities seized 876 kg of ganja that was unlawfully stored in a shrimp farm for illicit transportation to Sri Lanka. The confiscated ganja was transported to the Ramanathapuram Customs Office for further inquiry. Preliminary investigations disclosed that the ganja bundles originated from a shrimp farm owned by the Sultan of SP Pattinam. It was also discovered that a trio had orchestrated a plan to smuggle the ganja to Sri Lanka using a country boat on the ensuing Sunday night.

#WATCH | UPDATE | Tamil Nadu: Trichy Customs Preventive seizes 100 kilograms of Hashish worth Rs 110 Crores and 876 kilograms of Ganja worth Rs 1.05 Crores at Mimisal. The goods were seized under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and Customs… pic.twitter.com/fWYk6Dr61I

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2024

Drug Bust 3

On 5 March 2024, in a collaborative operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) successfully thwarted a drug smuggling attempt near Mandapam, Ramanathapuram district. Four individuals were detained, and narcotics valued at ₹108 crore were confiscated.

Acting on a tip-off, the DRI Chennai Zonal Unit, in conjunction with the Indian Coast Guard, received information about the trafficking of illicit substances from India to Sri Lanka along the coastal route near Mandapam. The joint team used a Coast Guard ship to conduct surveillance over the Gulf of Mannar on the nights of 4 and 5 March 2024.

During the deep-sea surveillance, the team observed a country boat heading towards Sri Lanka and promptly intercepted it following a brief pursuit. Upon inspection, five concealed sacks were discovered on board. The country boat, along with the contraband and its three occupants, was brought to the Coast Guard Station Mandapam for further investigation. Upon questioning, the accused individuals admitted that the bags contained narcotics received from an individual in Pamban. According to their statements, the team learned that the contraband was intended for handover to someone from Sri Lanka at sea.

In a rapid follow-up, DRI officials apprehended the individual who supplied the contraband to the three-member group from his residence. Interrogations revealed that he was the mastermind behind the organized smuggling of narcotics from India to Sri Lanka via the coastal route. Preliminary investigations disclosed that the seized drugs had been transported from various parts of the country for subsequent shipment to Sri Lanka using country boats. A total of 111 packets weighing 99 kg were confiscated from the boats. Upon testing, the contents were identified as hashish, with an international market value of approximately ₹108 crore, and seized under the NDPS Act.

DRI, Chennai seized 30kg of Methamphetamine, a NDPS substance, from a passenger arrived from Chennai at Madurai railway station. Followup search in Chennai resulted in the seizure of 6kg Methamphetamine. The total value is around ₹180 Crorehttps://t.co/Aqze6e13qJ#DRIatWork pic.twitter.com/7mLYG7KG06

— CBIC (@cbic_india) March 1, 2024

Drug Bust 4

The Central Intelligence Agency alerted local authorities about a drug smuggling operation involving methamphetamine being transported to Sri Lanka via Vedalai Beach near Mandapam in the Ramanathapuram district. Acting on this tip, the Mandapam police raided a residence in Vedalai MGR Nagar. They discovered and seized 6 kg of methamphetamine hidden within the property.

In connection with this seizure, two individuals—Nagakumar, 20, the son of Sethuraja, and Sakthivel, 23, the son of Nagu—both from the Soodai Vela Kuchu area and the house owner, have been arrested and are currently under interrogation. The methamphetamine, also known as “ice,” is estimated to have an international market value of ₹20 crore, according to police reports.

Drug Bust 5

Police seized cocaine worth ₹30 lakh near Ramanathapuram and arrested a Sri Lankan teenager, Mohammed Fazil, along with Ganesh. Mohammad Fazil, originally from Sri Lanka and the son of Mohammed Faisar, had returned from working in Malaysia and entered Tamil Nadu on a tourist visa in 2019.

After staying and working in the region for some time, he married a woman from Nambuthalai in Ramanathapuram district. Subsequently, he lived in the area without a passport and became involved in drug trafficking. Ramanathapuram S.P. Thangadurai received confidential information about his activities.

The Special Branch (S.B.) police closely monitored Mohammad Fazil and confirmed his involvement in drug trafficking. The operation was set up to intercept Fasil, who was attempting to transport drugs worth approximately ₹30 lakh from Nambuthalai to Sri Lanka. Acting on this information, the Special Branch police arrested Mohammad Fasil and his accomplice Ganesh.

Authorities seized 302 grams of white cocaine, 56 grams of brown sugar, and counterfeit ₹500 notes from the two suspects. The total value of the seized items is estimated at ₹30 lakh. Both individuals were arrested, brought before the court, and remanded to jail. The police continue to investigate for any additional involvement in the trafficking network.

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The post Dravidian Model Tamil Nadu’s Escalating Drug Trafficking Problem: Here Are Recent Instances Of Drugs Getting Confiscated appeared first on The Commune.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam is set to contest as an independent candidate in the Ramanathapuram constituency amidst an unusual scenario where a total of 6 candidates bearing the name Panneerselvam have filed nominations.

I made a collage – 6 Paneerselvams are contesting as independents from #Ramanathapuram #TamilNadu in the #LokSabhaElection2024

There's more Paneer(Selvam) in this one constituency, than one can find in a restaurant gravy! #BJP #NDA #AIADMK #DMK #india #politics pic.twitter.com/JTEMXpo8MB

— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) March 28, 2024

However, during the consideration process on 28 March 2024, only the former Chief Minister’s nomination was scrutinized, while the other five did not appear. It is speculated that three of these candidates are affiliated with the AIADMK and two with the DMK. It is noteworthy that the 5 candidates’ nominations have been accepted.

The filing of nominations for the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu commenced on 20 March 2024 and concluded on 27 March 2024. In Ramanathapuram, 42 individuals filed 56 petitions, out of which 28 were accepted after scrutiny by District Collector and Election Officer Vishnu Chandran and Election Inspector Bhandari Yadav.

Among the accepted nominations were former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam as an independent candidate in the BJP alliance, AIADMK candidate Jayaperumal, DMK alliance candidate Nawaz Ghani from the Indian Union Muslim League, and Chandraprabha from the Naam Tamil Party.

The presence of five additional candidates with the same name as the former Chief Minister has raised concerns among supporters, who fear confusion among voters during symbol allocation and voting. O. Panneerselvam’s son, Jayapradeep, addressed the issue, alleging that supporters of the Edappadi faction were behind the additional nominations to sow confusion.

According to reports, the five candidates did not attend the nomination consideration process, with speculation suggesting they may be under pressure to withdraw their nominations due to potential threats to their safety. The situation remains tense as the election date approaches, with voters urged to remain vigilant and informed.

(with inputs from Tamil One India)

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The post The OPS Conspiracy: Are DMK And ADMK Fielding Dummy Candidates Against OPS To Confuse Voters? appeared first on The Commune.

In a collaborative operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) successfully thwarted a drug smuggling attempt near Mandapam, Ramanathapuram district on 5 March 2024. Four individuals have been detained, and narcotics valued at ₹108 crore were confiscated.

Acting on a tip-off, the DRI Chennai Zonal Unit, in conjunction with the Indian Coast Guard, received information about the trafficking of illicit substances from India to Sri Lanka along the coastal route near Mandapam. The joint team conducted surveillance over the Gulf of Mannar using a Coast Guard ship on the night of 4 and 5 March 2024.

During the deep-sea surveillance, the team observed a country boat heading towards Sri Lanka and promptly intercepted it following a brief pursuit. Upon inspection, five concealed sacks were discovered on board. The country boat, along with the contraband and its three occupants, was brought to the Coast Guard Station Mandapam for further investigation.

Upon questioning, the accused individuals admitted that the bags contained narcotics received from an individual in Pamban. According to their statements, the team learned that the contraband was intended for handover to someone from Sri Lanka at sea.

In a rapid follow-up, DRI officials apprehended the individual who supplied the contraband to the three-member group from his residence. Interrogations revealed that he was the mastermind behind the organized smuggling of narcotics from India to Sri Lanka via the coastal route. Preliminary investigations disclosed that the seized drugs had been transported from various parts of the country for subsequent shipment to Sri Lanka using country boats.

A total of 111 packets weighing 99 kg were confiscated from the boats. Upon testing, the contents were identified as hashish, with an international market value of approximately ₹108 crore, and seized under the NDPS Act.

Earlier, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Chennai successfully confiscated 30 kg of Methamphetamine, a substance regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, from a passenger who arrived at Madurai railway station from Chennai. Subsequent investigations and searches in Chennai led to the additional seizure of 6 kg of Methamphetamine. The cumulative estimated value of these seizures amounts to approximately ₹180 Crore.

DRI, Chennai seized 30kg of Methamphetamine, a NDPS substance, from a passenger arrived from Chennai at Madurai railway station. Followup search in Chennai resulted in the seizure of 6kg Methamphetamine. The total value is around ₹180 Crorehttps://t.co/Aqze6e13qJ#DRIatWork pic.twitter.com/7mLYG7KG06

— CBIC (@cbic_india) March 1, 2024

In this context, the BJP president of Tamil Nadu, K Annamalai, released an official statement on his social media platform, expressing concerns about the prevalence of the drug menace in Tamil Nadu. Despite this, Chief Minister Stalin remains conspicuously silent, refraining from taking any action or providing a response.

Annamalai stated, “On 24th Feb – DMK functionary & Tamil film producer Jaffar Sadiq was named as the kingpin of the organised international drug mafia, which smuggled ₹2000 Crore worth of Pseudoephedrine in the last 3 years.

• On 28th Feb – ₹1200 Crore worth of narcotics to be transferred & transported to Tamil Nadu intercepted & seized in the high seas by NCB.
• On 1st March – ₹180 Crore worth of Methamphetamine was seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in Madurai.
• Today, the 5th of March – ₹108 Crore worth of Hashish was seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in Rameswaram.

It’s been 10 days since the link of a DMK functionary in the international drug trade made news, but Thiru @mkstalin has only been desperate to divert people’s attention like his father & former CM Thiru Karunanidhi did during the 2G trial. How long will you evade questions & remain silent, Thiru @mkstalin?”

On 24th Feb – DMK functionary & Tamil film producer Jaffar Sadiq was named as the kingpin of the organised international drug mafia, which smuggled ₹2000 Crore worth of Pseudoephedrine in the last 3 years.

On 28th Feb – ₹1200 Crore worth of narcotics to be transferred &…

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 5, 2024

(With inputs from TNIE)

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While caste atrocities and discrimination against the oppressed communities continue to happen on the one side, on the other one can witness discrimination against differently abled people in the state of Tamil Nadu under the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime which boasts of establishing “social justice”.

At the weekly market near Sayalkudi Bus Stand, a distressing incident unfolded, sparking outrage within the local community. Mariammal, a differently-abled woman, saw her livelihood abruptly disrupted during this unfortunate event.

The Sayalkudi Municipal Executive Officer, Sekar, accompanied by sanitation workers, made an appearance at the market, claiming that Mariammal’s sales activities were causing traffic disruptions. Ignoring her disability, Sekar is seen throwing all that Mariammal was selling including the dried fish she had kept in a basket, directing sanitation workers to remove the spilled goods.

Dravidian Model

Sayalkudi Municipal Executive Officer (EO’s) ruthless act.

Everyone should strongly condemn this barbarity, This is how they’re treating a woman with a disability.

Shame on your Dravidian

#sayalkudi #weeklymarket #eo #Tamilnad pic.twitter.com/cINFF9iBAD

— महारथी-മഹാരഥി (@MahaRathii) November 26, 2023

Witnessing Mariammal’s distress as her merchandise tumbled down was heart-wrenching. In her moment of anguish, she questioned the Executive Officer, “There are numerous shops around; why are you singling us out?” Regrettably, EO Sekar remained silent, providing no response to her heartfelt inquiry.

Despite the challenges Mariammal faces as a differently-abled individual, EO Sekar sternly warned her, displaying a seeming lack of awareness. The incident has triggered widespread condemnation from the local community and left onlookers shocked at the behaviour.

Surprisingly, no immediate action has been taken against Municipal Executive Officer Sekar or the sanitation workers involved, prompting criticism of the DMK government’s response to the incident.

Expressing concern, SG Suryah, the State Secretary of Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party, called out the Tamil Nadu media for underreporting the incident. He wrote, “If it had happened in the previous ADMK regime, journalists and the media would have been holding it up for days and publish many videos with BGM. But this is happening in the DMK regime. It seems the media in Tamil Nadu have bundled up their anger with a don’t care attitude.”

கடந்த அ.தி.மு.க ஆட்சியில் நடந்திருந்தால் ஊடகவியலாளர்களும், ஊடகங்களும் பல நாட்கள் ஒப்பாரி வைத்திருப்பரே? பல BGM வீடியோக்கள் வெளியிட்டுருப்பரோ?

ஆனால், நடப்பது தி.மு.க ஆட்சியோ? யார் எக்கேடு கெட்டாலும் எனக்கென்ன என அறச்சீற்றத்தை மூட்டைக்கட்டி வைத்து விட்டனரோ தமிழக ஊடகவியலாளர்கள்?? pic.twitter.com/J0jXlIWpzq

— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) November 26, 2023

Following the outrage, Collector Vishnu Chandran ordered the EO Sekar to be suspended from his post.

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On 28 July 2023, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, flagged off the ‘En Mann, En Makkal’ padayatra (foot march) spear headed by tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President K Annamalai from the coastal town of Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu.  This padayatra/ campaign seeks to make a resounding impact ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

15% of India's total Palmyra trees are in TN's Ramanathapuram Dist, yet, Palmyra workers remain economically weak.

BJP will replace TASMAC liquor with Palmyra/Coconut toddy & distribute Palmyra products through Ration shops, if voted to power, vows Annamalai.#EnMannEnMakkal pic.twitter.com/YjEBmvtBub

— Ethirajan Srinivasan (@Ethirajans) August 1, 2023

In an address to a massive crowd in Ramanathapuram as part of the padayatra, Annamalai, made a fervent pledge to uplift the economically weak palmyra farmers in the region. Highlighting the significance of palmyra trees in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram District, which boasts 15% of India’s total palmyra tree count, Annamalai lamented the prevailing poverty among these farmers and presented a promising vision for their betterment.

Addressing the issue head-on, Annamalai unveiled a comprehensive plan to replace TASMAC liquor with palmyra and coconut toddy, while simultaneously distributing palmyra products through ration shops. He emphasised that the aim of this strategic move is to eliminate the exploitation of the youth and the detrimental effects of alcohol addiction, which he attributed to the conspiracy by the DMK government.

Annamalai said, “Opening more TASMAC outlets all over Tamil Nadu and in order to get more revenue, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government is making our people drunkards and alcohol addicts. The Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party is very clear about the fact that we will open toddy shops in the state. We are clear about passing on the products of coconut and palmyra trees. BJP aims to distribute palm sugar instead of white sugar through ration/PDS shops. There are 10 crore palm trees in India of which 5 crore are in Tamil Nadu and Ramanathapuram constitutes 1.5 crore trees i.e., 15% palm trees of the whole of India is in Ramanathapuram. If we close TASMAC outlets and pass on the products of palm and coconut trees to the people, there will be no poor person here. Whoever has a palm tree at their home should be rich.”

The BJP leader advocated for the utilisation of the vast potential of palmyra and coconut trees, expressing his commitment to providing extensive benefits to the people of Tamil Nadu. He asserted that if the BJP is voted to power, brown sugar extracted from palmyra would replace white sugar in ration shops, further supporting the economic prosperity of palmyra farmers.

Annamalai made a compelling case for the economic impact of this plan, noting that Tamil Nadu alone boasts a staggering 5 crore palmyra trees, with Ramanathapuram District alone accounting for 1.5 crore trees, representing 15% of India’s palmyra tree population. According to him, this abundance of resources, if rightfully recognised and marketed, could transform Ramanathapuram into one of the wealthiest districts in India.

In his address, Annamalai drew a sharp contrast between the prevailing situation, where palmyra farmers toil tirelessly, yet remain impoverished and living in meager conditions, and the promising future he envisions under a BJP-led government. He painted a picture of prosperity and improved livelihoods, where palmyra farmers will no longer languish in poverty, and their hard work will be adequately rewarded.

The BJP leader also criticised the current government’s operation of TASMAC, alleging that it is meant to support certain liquor factories, perpetuating the exploitation of palmyra farmers for personal gains.

Annamalai reaffirmed the BJP’s unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of palmyra farmers and ushering in a new era of prosperity through the promotion and recognition of palmyra and coconut products.

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