Arrest Azhagiri, says CPI(M)

Madurai, May 11 (UNI) Demanding the arrest of Mr M K Azhagiri, elder son of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, for the violence and burning of the office of 'Dinakaran,' owned by the Maran family, the CPI(M) staged a demonstration in the city today.

Addressing the gathering, Party MP P Mohan described Mr Azhagiri as an ''extra-Constitutional'' authority, holding the police and revenue administration in the southern districts to ransom.

The death of three employees of the newspaper and the violence let loose in broad daylight with the police remaining mute spectators, was proof of this, he added.

According to him, the Chief Minister was very much aware of the developing situation but failed to act decisively and the statement made in the Assembly about the incidents amounted to admitting the inability of the state administration.

Speakers, including CPI(M) MLA N Nanmaran, launched a broadside against Mr Azhagiri, accusing him of promoting and patronising rowdy elements and promoting violence.

Recalling the murder of Party Corporation Councillor Leelavathi, a decade ago and that of DMK stalwart Tha Kiruttinan, among other incidents, they warned of the dangers to democracy when the political discourse took a violent path.

''Settle your family feud within yourselves without making others sacrificial animals,'' Mr Nanmaran, said regretting the incident had claimed three innocent lives and turned into an attempt to throttle freedom of expression.

A larger number of party workers and supporters, braving the hot sun, gathered for the hour-long demonstration. They raised slogans seeking the arrest of Mr Azhagiri along with his loyalists and thugs who indulged in the violence.

The Opposition AIADMK also organised a massive demonstration in the city, demanding prompt action on the attack on the newspaper and the arrest of all those involved.

The CPI has decided to hold a demonstration tomorrow evening.

Many civil society organisations have come forward in condemning the attack on the daily and demanded the arrest of Mr Azhagiri.

UNI