Jaya calls police 'mute spectators'

Chennai, Oct 26 (UNI) Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today flayed the state police for being 'mute spectators' when party councillors were allegdly abducted by ruling DMK men in various parts of the state.

In a statement here, she said it was unfortunate that violence continued to be unleashed even after the elections to the local bodies in the state, with 'abduction' of elected representatives of the AIADMK and attack on party cadre.

In Andipatti panchayat union in Theni district, party councillor Settu, while coming out after the swearing-in ceremony, was abducted by DMK men in the presence of the police, she charged.

AIADMK Theni District Secretary and Thanga Tamilselvan, MP, lodged a complaint with the Superintendent of Police, fearing threat to Mr Mr Settu's life and demanded he should be rescued. But there was no sign of police action so far, Ms Jayalalithaa said and urged the police to act impartially and rescue her partyman.

Similarly, in Madurai outskirts, party district Secretary M Jayaraman and other partymen were brutally attacked by DMK men, but the police registered cases against AIADMK men, she alleged.

After indulging in violence during the swearing-in ceremony, the DMK men were planning to let loose violence when the elections to Mayor and Deputy Mayor and Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen were held on October 28, she alleged, and again calling on the police to act fairly.

Pointing out that on behalf of the state government an assurance had been given in Madras High Court for peaceful conduct of the indirect elections, Ms Jayalalithaa said the police should maintain the assurance given by Advocate General in the court.

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