A few days back, we had reported about the journalists who were allegedly kidnapped and assaulted by goons of DMK MLA Palaniyandi.
Now a video reportedly showing DMK MLA Palaniyandi assaulting journalists during a reporting assignment at an allegedly illegal stone quarry in Karur district has gone viral and has triggered widespread outrage and sharp political reactions.
The incident occurred on Friday, 30 January 2026, at Sivayam village near Krishnarayapuram in Karur, when a team from News Tamil 24×7 was filming quarry operations allegedly linked to Palaniyandi, the DMK MLA from Srirangam.
Five persons were injured in the attack, including News Tamil reporter Kathiravan and videographer Sebastian, along with social activist Sudalai Kannu, advocate Thirumalai Rajan, and his assistant Rajamanickam. According to police, the group had travelled around 8 km from the Kulithalai–Manapparai highway and used a drone to document quarry activity for nearly two hours.
The situation escalated after quarry workers allegedly noticed the drone footage being recorded. Around 50 men, believed to be quarry staff, reportedly attacked the group with iron rods and wooden logs. The assailants are accused of severely beating the journalists, damaging or stealing two cameras, a drone, microphones, live kits, and mobile phones, and briefly holding the victims against their will. The value of the damaged and stolen equipment has been estimated at approximately ₹25 lakh.
A video circulating widely on social media has now become the central focus of the controversy. Journalists involved in the reporting allege that Palaniyandi himself was present at the scene and initiated the assault, after which others accompanying him joined in what they described as a “blind attack”. They further claimed that the violence could have been prevented had the MLA chosen to intervene.
For over two hours following the attack, colleagues were unable to contact the victims, prompting an alert to Karur Superintendent of Police Jose Thangaiah. Acting on his instructions, a police team led by Kulithalai DSP Senthilkumar located Kathiravan and Sebastian and brought them to the Kulithalai police station. Advocate Thirumalai Rajan and Rajamanickam, who sustained serious injuries, were admitted to the Government Hospital in Kulithalai, while the journalists are undergoing treatment at the Tiruchirappalli Government Hospital.
However, News Tamil reported that despite a detailed written complaint being submitted on the day of the incident, no arrests or concrete action have been taken so far. The complaint reportedly named those involved, described the assault, and detailed the destruction and theft of equipment. The alleged police inaction has drawn sharp criticism.
The controversy has further intensified with the circulation of multiple audio recordings on social media and television broadcasts. These recordings, aired by News Tamil, are claimed to contain conversations allegedly involving the MLA’s son and others connected to the quarry, discussing the incident and the destruction of evidence. While the authenticity of the audios has not been officially verified, the channel maintains that they shed light on events at the quarry site.
Reacting to the viral video, BJP leader Annamalai, launched a scathing attack on the ruling DMK. Sharing the footage, Annamalai said the visuals showing a “murderous attack” allegedly carried out by Palaniyandi on journalists amounted to an insult to democracy and an attack on the fourth pillar of the democratic system.
He questioned Chief Minister MK Stalin over the incident, asking whether the position of a DMK MLA had become a licence to illegally mine mineral resources and carry out violent attacks. Annamalai also alleged that the Karur district police had attempted to shield the MLA, pointing out that Palaniyandi’s presence was not mentioned in the official police communication despite allegations of an attempt to murder.
Annamalai demanded that attempt-to-murder cases be registered against Palaniyandi and all others involved and called for their immediate arrest.
கரூர் மாவட்டம், கிருஷ்ணராயபுரம் பகுதியில் திமுக சட்டமன்ற உறுப்பினர் பழனியாண்டி நடத்தும் சட்டவிரோத கல்குவாரியைக் குறித்து செய்தி சேகரிக்கச் சென்ற @NewsTamilTV24x7 செய்தியாளர் திரு. கதிரவன் மற்றும் ஊடகவியலாளர்கள் மீது, பழனியாண்டியே நேரடியாகக் கொலைவெறி தாக்குதல் நடத்தும் காணொளி,… pic.twitter.com/ugO9ynMLyX
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 4, 2026
The incident has also revived scrutiny of Palaniyandi’s past. In 2023, the Karur district administration reportedly imposed a ₹23 crore penalty on quarry operations linked to violations, raising renewed questions about the continuation of mining activities and alleged political patronage.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
