Fatwa issue: DMK workers continue demo in TN

Chennai, Sep 25: Despite Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi's call to exercise restraint, members of the ruling party staged demonstrations for the third day today, demanding action against the ex-BJP MP on the 'fatwa' controversy.

Reports received at the police headquarters here said irate DMK men torched a two-wheeler of a BJP functionary at Madurai in early today.

At around 0400 hrs, a group of people came to the house of BJP Zonal President A M Gounder (30) and burnt a Bajaj Platinum two-wheeler parked at his residence.

Incidents of DMK activists uprooting flagpoles of the BJP were also reported in some parts of the State, condemning the fatwa issued by former BJP MP Ramvilas Vedanti against Mr Karunanidhi for his critical remarks on Lord Ram.

A report from Mayiladuthurai said a group of BJP workers, miffed over the attack on their party offices, pelted stones at a wine shop and shouted slogans condemning the attacks.

Police have registered a case in this connection.

In Villupuram district, about 500 shop owners downed their shutters at Thyagadurgam area, in protest against the action of DMK men forcibly closing the shops on September 23 on the fatwa issue.

UNI