Sound and fury

(January 18, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) More than 20 buses were vandalised all over Tamilnadu by suspected activists of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) since last night even as their leader Thol Thirumavalavan’s fast- unto- death over the Lankan issue reached the fourth day today.

Demanding India’s intervention to stop the ongoing war between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Army and thereby putting an end to the hunger strike by their party chief, VCK members allegedly indulged in violence.

A bus was reportedly burnt near the Koyambedu junction in Chennai last night while stones were hurled at another MTC bus at Virugambakkam. Four were arrested in this connection.

In Villupuram district, four State-owned public carriers were reportedly set ablaze. Following this, buses were operated with police protection even as investigations were on to nab the culprits.

Similar stone- hurling incidents were reported from Chidambaram and Puducherry also. A bus was gutted at Malapatti near Alanganallur after anti-social elements set it afire.

‘Six suspects, who travelled in the bus, had asked the other passengers and the crew to get down before setting it ablaze. No one was injured,’ said the Madurai Range Deputy Inspector General Amaresh Pujari.

Police picketing has been strengthened at all the vulnerable places and highway patrolling intensified. Buses were moved in a convoy of three to four vehicles with police protection.

Tension prevailed for a while at Sungam Junction at Ramanathapuram in Coimbatore late last night after a town service bus was damaged in a violent incident.

According to police, two unidentified persons were reported to have stoned the bus, damaging its windshield. While there were rumours of another bus also having been attacked, police confirmed that only one vehicle was targeted. Investigations were on amid suspicion that activists of a political party could have been involved in the attack.

Police arrested two cadres of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi for allegedly damaging the windscreen of a government bus near Kolathur yesterday.

Police said the bus was proceeding to Mettur when two persons damaged the windshield. Based on a complaint, Kolathur police arrested Mariappan (31) and Lenin (31). Further probe is on. - Sri Lanka Guardian