Slippers hurled at Sri Lankan Prez's kin at Rameswaram in TN

Rameswaram (TN), Jan 10: In a totally unprovoked attack and an evident slam on the anti-Tamil stand by neighbouring Sri Lanka, a group of supporters of the MDMK and Nam TamizharIyakkam hurled slippers at Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's close relative when he came to the famed Ramerswaram temple in Tamil Nadu to perform a pooja.

As per reports, the unruly mob stormed into the house of Ramanathaswamy Temple priest and hurled stones and slippers at him after they got to know that Tirukumaran Natesan, husband of Sri Lankan MP Nirupama Rajapaksa, was going to perform a ritual.

Speaking to reporters on the attack, Priest RC Anandha Dikshithar said that the mob also damaged the gate and the door of his house and started shouting slogans against the Sri Lankan President. The President's kin had come to the temple to perform a "parikara pooja" (prayer seeking to remedy ill-effects of some sins).

The priest and Natesan sustained injuries following the attack. They suffered minor bruises. As per the statement by the priest, it is understood that the attackers were under the impression that the ritual was being condicted for the continuance of the Rajapaksa government in Sri Lanka.

Apart from shouting slogans against the Sri Lankan Prez, they hurled abuses at Natesan as well. He has been a regular visitor to the Rameswaram temple since the past three years. Natesan added that he was there to do some shanthi/parikara pooja for his son and not for the welfare of the Sri Lankan government. Rumours were doing the rounds that the pooja was carried out at the behest of Rajapaksa.

The police have taken immediate action on the sensitivity of the issue and a complaint was filed by the Rameswaram Priests' Association. Following the same, the local administration has deployed additional police force close to the priest's house and nearby premises. Two MDMK workers have also been detained in the case. The local police are on the lookout for others who were involved in the attacks.

OneIndia News