Detention of PMK functionary J Guru revoked

Chennai, Nov 26 (UNI) In a sudden development, the Tamil Nadu government today revoked the detention of jailed PMK functionary Kaduvetti J Guru under the National Security Act (NSA).

Orders to this effect were issued by the Tamil Nadu government, according to sources.

Confirming this, sources close to PMK President G K Mani said efforts were being made to secure the release of Guru, now lodged in Trichy Central Prison.

As Mr Guru was facing another case, he would be released after securing bail in that case.

The state government's volte face comes barely a week after the Madras High Court upheld the detention of Guru under the NSA.

It also comes a day after PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi yesterday and the latter hinted about PMK's return back to the DPA-fold stating that the DMK did not throw the PMK out of the DPA and that it had only expressed its anguish and anger over Guru's remarks.

Mr Guru, also the President of Vanniyar Sangam, was arrested in June this year for his inflammatory remarks against the DMK government and holding out threats to Union Minister A Raja and senior DMK leaders.

His remarks led to the PMK being elbowed out of the DMK-led DPA. Mr Guru was subsequently detained under the NSA on July 10 this year, following orders by Ariyalur District Collector R Sudalaikannan on the recommendation of District Superintendent of Police V Krishnamoorthy.

Cases were registered against him in Ariyalur, Udayarpalayam and Meensurutti police stations as the audio tape and a compact disc containing his speeches revealed that Mr Guru had indeed threatened Mr Raja and Andimadam MLA Sivashankar with a motive of fomenting violence.

UNI GV VV SKB HT1645