PDS rice smugglers hurl bomb at man
In Kovilpatti, Tuticorin district, a gang allegedly linked to PDS rice smuggling attacks a man suspected of tipping off police. The key accused, reportedly from the DMK youth wing, is condemned by expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam. The incident follows a confrontation between the victim, V Mariselvam, and Pambu Karthik over a previous dispute involving a minor. Karthik’s gang hurls petrol bombs at Mariselvam’s house, damaging property. Allegations surface of retaliation by Karthik’s supporters. Political affiliations emerge, with Karthik photographed with DMK leaders. Panneerselvam urges action against those exploiting children in the rice collection scheme, urging DMK accountability.
A gang allegedly involved in smuggling PDS rice collected from households in Kovilpatti in Tuticorin district attacked a man who it suspected had tipped off the food cell police about it. The key accused in the incident which happened on Tuesday is allegedly a member of the DMK youth wing. Condemning the incident, expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam said 3.5 lakh kilogram of PDS rice was smuggled in Kovilpatti and surrounding regions according to reports.
According to the police complaint filed by V Mariselvam, a law graduate with Kovilpatti West station, he had an argument with one Pambu Karthik some days ago for beating a minor boy who refused to collect PDS rice from households The boy was a relative of Mariselvam. Meanwhile, food cell police in Virudhunagar intercepted a vehicle transporting smuggled rice. Suspecting Mariselvam’s role in tipping off the cell, Karthik threatened Mariselvam over phone in the wee hours of Tuesday. A little later, a gang comprising Karthik went to Mariselvam’s house and knocked at the door. When Mariselvam stepped out, the gang hurled petrol bombs at him and fled. As the fire was quickly doused, he escaped unhurt.
However, the gang damaged a vehicle parked in front of his house that belonged to his neighbour. Pambu Karthik’s supporters also filed a complaint in the same station claiming that Mariselvam and his gang attacked the houses of their relatives in Veeravanchi Nagar with petrol bombs. Pambu Karthik had taken photographs with Tuticorin MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and other leaders when he attended the DMK youth conference at Salem. Meanwhile, O Panneerselvam alleged that small boys are being used
to collect PDS rice from card holders in Kovilpatti. He demanded that DMK act tough on party functionaries involved in the scam.
