Tamil Nadu

Court

MDMK chief Vaiko has asked the Supreme Court to pass directions that Farooq Abdullah be produced before it and be permitted to attend a conference in Chennai.

Sanyukta Dharmadhikari

MDMK chief and Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko on Wednesday filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court for allowing former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah to travel to Chennai. The Tamil Nadu politician wrote in his petition that he had extended an invite to Farooq Abdullah for an event in Chennai on September 15 but he has not been able to contact the Jammu and Kashmir leader about the same. In the petition, Vaiko has stated that for many years he has been organising a conference in Chennai for leaders from across the country on the occasion of the birthday of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister CN Annadurai. This year, the event is to be held on Sunday and Farooq Abdullah, who has attended previous editions of the conference had agreed to attend this year as well. However, last month Farooq Abdullah was put under house arrest in Srinagar and Vaiko has said that despite his efforts, he has not been able to reach him. Vaiko added that he had written to authorities on August 29 to seek the permission of the Central government as well the Secretary, Home Department, Jammu and Kashmir, to allow Dr Farooq Abdullah to travel to Chennai but he failed to get a response. Calling the actions of the government “completely illegal and arbitrary,” Vaiko states in the petition: “The refusal of the Respondents to allow Dr. Farooq Abdullah to attend the peaceful and democratic conference organised by the Petitioner is illegal and arbitrary and violative of Articles 21, 22 and 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.” The MDMK chief has asked the Supreme Court to pass directions that the National Conference Chief be produced before it and be permitted to attend the conference in Chennai. The National Conference Chief has been under detention at his residence in Srinagar since August 4. Ahead of the Presidential order removing the special status to Jammu and Kashmir, a massive clampdown was issued in Jammu and Kashmir. Many leaders in the Valley, including Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq Abdullah’s son Omar Abdullah, were placed under house arrest and continue to remain so. Mobile and internet services were suspended in the state and while authorities deny any incidents of violence and dissent, there have been reports of protests and action by the government in the Valley. On August 5, the government abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution from Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir, which will be a Union Territory with Legislature and Ladakh, a union territory without legislature.

Body 2:

Caste

The dominant caste residents put a lock on the valve which supplies water to Dalits from a common overhead tank, and controlled when the valve was opened.

Sreedevi Jayarajan

Caste based discrimination and related atrocities are not a new evil in Tamil Nadu, and several incidents of people from marginalised castes being denied access to resources have been reported even recently. In the last two weeks alone, two separate incidents of Dalits being denied access to burial sites for cremating deceased members of their community were reported across the state. So what happens when the resources being controlled by dominant castes can be as basic as drinking water? In the latest such case of atrocity to be exposed in Tamil Nadu, a community of Dalits in Kayampatti village in Madurai West have reportedly been denied full access to drinking water. According to sources, Kayampatti’s 200-odd families have been regularly drawing water from a 25-year old overhead tank for their drinking water needs. This water is supplied via two separate valves – one for the dominant caste households – Kallars, Nadars and Chettiars – and the other for Adi Dravidar settlements (Dalits). However, members of the 90-odd Adi Dravidar families in Kayampatti have been complaining that for the last three to four years, the dominant caste residents have been limiting their access to the water in the tank. “They put a lock on the valve which supplies water to us. They are doing this to intentionally limit the water we receive, while they use unlimited amount of water from the tank,” says Saravanan, a resident of Kayampatti. While water was being distributed through separate valves for the last two decades in the village, dominant castes limiting Dalits’ access to water is a new phenomenon, residents say. The locked valve is opened at specific times of the day, forcing members of the Adi Dravidar community to rush to store water. “We hardly get enough water for our needs. During the day, when everyone has to go to work, most people scramble for water. All we ask is that the water is supplied equally to everyone without prejudice,” Bhakyalakshmi, another resident told Puthiya Thalamurai. Each family in the Dalit colony gets just two to three pots of water per day. The valve is also unlocked at erratic times with no specific windows, according to residents. “Sometimes they open it for 30 minutes and at other times for over an hour. Usually water is supplied to the colony members anywhere between 6 and 7.30 am while the dominant caste residents enjoy unlimited supply with no time constraints,” says a source from Madurai. For several months now, residents say they have attempted to raise the issue with the District Collector and the Panchayat Development Officer or PDO, but to no avail. Political parties too have failed to offer any solutions to the residents here. With the incident being exposed by a journalist working with Puthiya Thalaimurai channel, officials from the PDO office inspected the tank and removed the lock on the valve on Tuesday. Promises have also been made to undertake restoration and servicing of corroded pipelines in the Dalit colony. According to sources, water supply also faces blockage due to old and corroding pipelines in the Dalit colony. “The pipelines supplying water to the houses of the dominant caste residents were recently serviced by the Panchayat Union. However, the pipes in the other part of the village are old, affecting the flow of water to the Dalit colony,” the source says.

Body 2:

Sexual Harassment

The policeman, who works as a driver in the district police department, was drunk at the time of the incident.

Megha Kaveri

A police constable working in Coimbatore rural has been suspended for stalking a woman and harassing her. The 35-year-old married woman, a resident of Vanniyankoil in Periyanaickenpalayam, was on her way to meet her relatives in Keeranatham on Tuesday afternoon. As she crossed a TASMAC shop, she noticed that she was being followed by someone in a police uniform. Alarmed at being followed by a policeman, she tried to speed up on her two-wheeler. But the policeman overtook her and waylaid her in the middle of the road, blocking her path. Asking her where she was going, the policeman allegedly told her that she looked beautiful and complimented her eyes. The woman, however, told the policeman that she was on her way to her relatives’ house and rode past him, despite which the policeman continued to follow her. Rattled by this, the woman took refuge at a novelty store in Athipalayam and informed her husband from inside the shop about the incident. The policeman also reached the shop shortly after that and allegedly verbally abused the woman. In the meantime, the news of a woman being tailed and harassed by a policeman started to spread and people from around the area started trickling in and surrounded the policeman. Though he tried to escape by hiding in another shop nearby, the members of the public caught him and handed him over to the Kovilpalayam police. On being questioned at the police station, the policeman revealed that his name was Prabakaran and that he works as a driver in the police department in Coimbatore. Kovilpalayam police also confirmed that he was drunk and recovered a few bottles of alcohol from Prabakaran’s bike. The woman who was harassed by Prabakaran filed an official complaint at Kovilpalayam station, based on which departmental action has been initiated against him. The Coimbatore Superintendent of Police, Sujith Kumar, confirmed to TNM that Prabakaran has been suspended pending inquiry. The department has also initiated a probe against Prabakaran.

Body 2:

Controversy

The couple has filed a complaint with the police against the hospital for not taking action on the nurse allegedly responsible for the mishap.

TNM Staff

A shocking incident in which part of a needle from an injection was allegedly left behind in an infant’s thigh, has come to light from Mettupalayam near Coimbatore. 26-year-old Malarvizhi was taken to the Mettupalayam Government Hospital on August 19 after she began experiencing labour pains. She underwent a cesarean section the next day, August 20, and gave birth to a boy. The baby was allegedly given a Hepatitis B vaccine on August 21. Malarvizhi and the baby were discharged from the hospital on August 31. “After we came back home, we must have bathed the baby around three to four times. Earlier this week, when my mother-in-law was giving him a bath, she scratched her hand on something in the baby’s right thigh and began bleeding. Upon closer look, she noticed a small, silver needle sticking out and used her nails to pull it out. It was about 1 inch deep in the skin and seemed to be the needle which was used to vaccinate the child,” said Malarvizhi’s husband, Prabhakar. According to Prabhakar they approached the hospital administration the following day on September 9, to raise the issue. “They told us that it was not the doctor’s fault and that the nurse who administered the injection was at fault. But they kept giving excuses and told us that she was not in town and that action would be taken,” he added. The baby was admitted to the hospital for observation as a precautionary measure and is yet to be discharged. The child is stable. Prabhakar has lodged a complaint with the Mettupalayam police stating that the hospital has not yet taken action against those responsible. “The main issue that has been highlighted in the man’s complaint is that there has been no action taken by the hospital yet. We have not filed an FIR but we have made a noting in the Community Service Register (CSR),” said an official from the Mettupalayam police department. Mettupalayam GH chief medical officer Ilanchezhian told ToI that a probe will be conducted.

Body 2:

Accident

The boat was going from Mela Ramanallur to Kapisthalam village on the other side of Kollidam river when the accident happened.

Megha Kaveri

A boat capsized in the Kollidam river near Ramanallur in Ariyalur district on Wednesday. No casualties have been reported as yet. According to sources, a boat with around 25 people set to Kabisthalam from Ramanallur on the banks of Kollidam river on Tuesday evening. Kabisthalam is a village located on the other side of the Kollidam river, near Papanasam. A few minutes into the journey, the boat it started leaning on to one side and capsized, throwing all the people on the boat into the water. Since the boat capsized shortly after it left the shore, people who were on the banks alerted the Fire and Rescue services and the police and are involved in search and rescue operations. Ten of those who were on the boat have reportedly taken refuge atop a sand dune in the middle of the river. An officer from the Fire and Rescue Services Trichy told TNM that there are no casualties yet. “These people were going for a temple festival when the accident happened. We have confirmed that there are no casualties as yet. The local people have rescued most of them. There are still some people on the island and we are now in the process of rescuing them and bringing them to the mainland,” he said. Speaking to TNM about the incident, one of the first responders in the area, Kamaraj said that there are no casualties and that around 10 people have been spotted on another sand dune in the river, which is on a level higher than the water in the river. This was also confirmed by the DSP of Jayamkondan, who added that police personnel and people from Fire and Rescue services are at the spot coordinating the rescue operations. (This is a developing story)

Body 2:

Human interest

The wedding at Jayalalithaa memorial in Chennai was attended by 200 guests, including AIADMK leaders Gokula Indira and Tamil Magan Hussain.

Priyanka Thirumurthy

Much to the surprise of visitors at former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s memorial in Chennai on Wednesday, an AIADMK member conducted his son's wedding with over 200 guests at the venue. The thaali tying ceremony was held at the memorial to symbolise the former Chief Minister's presence at the wedding. 55-year-old Bhavani Shankar, an AIADMK member and functionary of the North Chennai MGR Mandram had approached Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam for permission to conduct the ceremony and his request was initially denied. He says it was only on Tuesday that he got the final go-ahead to conduct the wedding at the memorial. But Bhavani Shankar had already printed invitations with the memorial as the wedding venue."I have been a member of the AIADMK from when I was 18 years old," says Bhavani Shankar to TNM. "Ideally I would have wanted Amma to be at the wedding and hand over the thaali to my son herself. But after her death, this seemed like the only alternative. I felt like Amma herself had blessed the wedding," he adds. His son Satish and daughter-in-law Deepika too, says Bhavani Shankar, were open to the prospect of getting married at the memorial. In attendance at the wedding were AIADMK leaders Gokula Indira and Tamil Magan Hussain."Amma's former PA Poogundran was the one who gave the thaali to the groom, " says Bhavani Shankar proudly. He says his guests all stood during the ceremony as they couldn't make seating arrangements within the venue. The resident of Kilpauk in Chennai says this has been the happiest day of his life."I invited only 200 people but at least 300 more people from the public came too, to see what we were doing," he says.

Body 2:

GST

Council members of the Tamil Producers’ Council Committee discussed issues of GST and service tax in the industry with the Finance Minister.

TNM Staff

Members of the Tamil Film Producer’s Council Committee met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday in Chennai to discuss problems related to the Goods and Services Tax and service tax in the film industry. The members reportedly spoke to the finance minister about the current challenges facing their business considering the economic situation. The producer’s council has also been urging state government officials to computerise the sale of movie tickets in order to track it better. Competition from international streaming networks too have posed a challenge to traditional cinema. According to reports, J Satish Kumar, one of the members of the producers’ council said that the Finance Minister had agreed to recommend exceptions to GST paid by stakeholders of the Tamil film industry. Satish Kumar also added that a system where GST is automatically credited when a customer buys a ticket should be put in place instead of producers and distributors paying to the government. The union minister also reportedly asked the council members to come to Delhi and present these recommendations to the Finance Ministry’s office. Several disputes have happened in the recent past with Tamil film producers and actors over the topic of compensation. According to the Tamil Film Producers Council consulting committee, the issue arose from a degree of mistrust between the producers, distributors and actors, since there was no accurate way to gauge box office collections. Earlier, state information and broadcasting minister Kadambur Raju had promised to implement the council’s request to computerise all ticket sales in the state.

Body 2:

Environment

The desilting process for the lake will be completed over 8 years.

TNM Staff

The Chembarambakkam lake, one of the few major drinking water resources of Chennai is finally getting desilted, after facing years of neglect. According to reports, the water resources department said that desilting process was started on Wednesday. Desilting is a process which aims to rid the lake bed of accumulated silt to improve storage capacity. The project was kickstarted only five months after the lake was commissioned to be desilted. Kancheepuram collector P Ponniah had inaugurated the project to desilt the lake. According to reports which have quoted sources in the Water Resources Department, the lake, which covers an area of 2316 hectares, will be desilted over a period of 8 years. Further, 25.30 lakh lorry loads would have to clear 151 lakh cubic metres of silt from the lake to improve storage capacity. The Chembarambakkam lake has a storage capacity of 3645 million cubic feet. Further, the four lakes that currently supply water to Chennai have only been storing water at 80 percent of its capacity, due to the presence of silt accumulated over decades. An official source from the WRD also states to The Hindu that with the completion of desilting, at least 536 million cubic feet of water can be added. The desilting process has been handed over on contract basis with each contractor paying the government to desilt the lake. Revenue from the sale of silt is expected to come up to over 190 crore after desilting the Chembarambakkam lake. Apart from Chembarambakkam lake, desilting process is also being carried out in Cholavaram lake, where at least 70,000 cubic metres of silt has been removed. The Red Hills lake to expected to be desilted soon after an order to desilt the lake was issued 5 months ago. An additional reservoir to store and supply water in Chennai is also commissioned to be built in Thervoy Kandigai-Kannankottai in Tiruvallur district.

Body 2:

Cyber Attack

The study conducted by K7 Computing, a Chennai-based cyber security major, tracks all critical components like Enterprise, Mobile, Mac, Windows and IoT.

IANS

Almost one in three netizens in India encounter cyber attacks, with users from Chennai more vulnerable to these attacks among users in the metros, a new study said on Wednesday. The study conducted by K7 Computing - a city-based cyber security major, tracks all critical components like Enterprise, Mobile, Mac, Windows and IoT, covering 20 Indian cities that include metros, tier-1 and tier-2 regions. According to the report, amongst tier-1 cities, Chennai has recorded the highest percentile of cyber attacks with 48 per cent from April 2019-June 2019 followed by Kolkata with 41 per cent during the same period. Delhi has registered the lowest percentile of cyber attacks with 28 per cent."K7 Computing's K7 Labs' Cyber Threat Monitor highlights the ever evolving threat landscape around the country and addresses the growing necessity of being more proactive in the approach towards cybersecurity," said K Purushothaman, CEO of K7 Computing."We see an increasing number of cyber attacks in tier-1 and tier-2 cities, and therefore, we urge concerned stakeholders to leverage specific intelligence for countermeasures and threat hunting," Purushothaman said. As per the report, cyber risk exposure steadily rises on working days in metros, starting from Monday and records the highest on Friday. The average percentage of cyber attacks in the top dozen infected tier-2 cities was found to be worse when compared to metros and tier-1 regions. From April 2019-June 2019, Patna experienced the highest percentile of cyber attacks (48 per cent), closely followed by Guwahati (46 per cent) and Lucknow (45 per cent), while Thiruvananthapuram stood safest among others at 35 per cent. The study also found that ransomware and fileless attacks continued to grow faster in the country. Trojan attacks, at 72 per cent, were detected to be the major threat for Mac followed by Adware (18 per cent) and PUP/PUA (Potentially Unwanted Programmes/Potentially Unwanted Applications) that stood at nine per cent, the study said. A majority of IoT device manufacturers and users were found to be ignorant about the necessity of optimised security, thus inviting massive-scale attacks. The report states that routers are the most vulnerable IoT devices existing in the country, followed by printers, NAS, IP cameras, media players, set-top boxes and smart TVs.

Body 2:

Harassment

The first two wives also alleged that he had harassed them physically and mentally.

TNM Staff

A video that went viral on social media shows a man from Tamil Nadu getting beaten up by a bunch of people including two women. With the clip going viral, the backstory behind the video is now out in the open. The man in blue has been identified as Dinesh - a ‘serial husband’, who was attacked by two of his wives for abandoning them and attempting to marry a third time. According to local news reports, 26-year old Dinesh, a native of Nehru Nagar in Sulur in Coimbatore district, got married to Priyadarshini, his first wife back in 2016. The duo who lived together for only a few weeks soon split up as Priyadarshini allegedly faced physical torture and harassment from her husband and moved back to her hometown of Tiruppur. Cut to 2019, Dinesh concealed the fact that he was a married man and married Anupriya from Karur. This marriage too ended soon enough with Anupriya leaving Dinesh after allegedly facing similar harassment. In September, news reached both Anupriya and Priyadarshini that the man who betrayed them was looking to wed a third time by registering in a matrimonial site. The duo who were living with their respective parents, visited Dinesh in his workplace in Coimbatore, along with their families. When Dinesh'a company refused to let them meet him, the two wives staged a protest outside his offiece. Soon enough, Dinesh stepped outside and this led to an altercation with the group attacking him, as seen in the video. Both women have told the media that they faced physical harassment from Aravind and had even reportedly staged a protest outside his place of work. Before the situation worsened, the Coimbatore police reportedly intervened and took Aravind away for questioning. While a formal complaint was not taken, the police spoke to the trio and let them go. There has also been concern that the man may have sustained serious injuries if the angry crowd had not been stopped by people around. Coimbatore - Man gets brutally beaten for searching a new bride by his 2 wives whom he hasn’t divorced yet!! After whacking him, the women hand him over to the cops.. pic.twitter.com/H7Tis4cEPQ — Pramod Madhav (@madhavpramod1) September 11, 2019

Body 2:

Rajiv Gandhi Assassination

The state government opposed the extension sought by Nalini.

TNM Staff

File Image

The Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed Nalini Sriharan’s plea seeking an extension to her parole till October 15. Nalini, who was convicted for the role she played in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, has been on parole since July 25 for making arrangements for her daughter’s wedding. In her plea,Nalini had stated that the wedding arrangements are in progress and that hermother-in-law’s arrival from Sri Lanka to India has been delayed due to visa problems. Mentioning that her mother-in-law will arrive soon in India, Nalini had requested for an extension of her parole. Her plea was heard by Justice MM Sundresh and Justice RMT Teekaa Raman on Thursday. The state government opposed the extension stating that Nalini has been seeking extension saying one reason or the other every time. Hearing the arguments, the bench said that earlier the court had granted the petitioner an extension of three weeks, though she had requested only for two weeks. The judges also said that the court can only grant parole extension within the legal provisions and hence refused to grant extension. Accepting the request of Nalini’s counsel to withdraw the plea, the court dismissed the petition. The court had, on July 5, granted a month-long parole to Nalini after 28 years in prison.It was her first parole extending beyond 24 hours during her stay in prison since 1991. On August 22, three days before her parole got over, she requested an extension stating that she could not finish the wedding arrangements despite her best efforts. Her request for an extension was granted by a bench consisting of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice M Nirmal Kumar, who extended her parole by three more weeks. Her three-week extension period is due to end on September 15 and hence Nalini had petitioned the court once again for an extension. The state government’s recommendation to release Nalini and the other convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case -- Murugan, Santhan, Robert Payas,Ravichandran, Jayakumar and Perarivalan – under article 161 of The Constitution is pending with the Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit.

Body 2:

Human Interest

The octogenarian has toiled her way through her tiny, smoky kitchen, grinding batter and chutney on hand-operated stone grinds and steaming idlis on the wood-fired stone hearth.

TNM Staff

Kamalathal, the 80-year-old woman from Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district who recently gained attention for her one-rupee idlis, and more importantly for her kindness, will now continue to make her fluffy idlis with a little more comfort. While the octogenarian toiled her way through her tiny, smoky kitchen, grinding batter and chutney on hand-operated stone grinds and steaming idlis on the wood-fired stone hearth, recognition for her hard work is bringing home goodwill gestures from philanthropists. When industrialist Anand Mahindra, Chairman Mahindra Group, shared the viral video done by The News Minute on September 10, Coimbatore’s idli paati’s fame began growing largely. Soon, Bharath Gas, Hindustan Petroleum, Thyrocare Technologies and more began lining up outside her house to help her to run her eatery. Kamalathal’s grandson’s wife Aarthi who spends all of her time with paati, helping her run the kitchen, tells TNM that the recent support they’ve been receiving has been overwhelming. “She used to grind the batter by hand since the grinder we have is very old. Now the new appliance will make it easier for us,” says Aarthi. So far Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil have together gifted Kamalathal with a regular stove, a commercial stove (larger than the regular model), three gas cylinders and one grinder. They’ve also offered to give free refills whenever she might need them. Thyrocare Technologies presented her with a larger, commercial wet grinder and Bharat Gas Coimbatore has also given her a stove and gas cylinder. Anand Mahindra too offered to help with her continuing costs. Aarthi also tells TNM, “One gentleman, an ex-army person, came home to other day to gift us a mixie. We also heard the Coimbatore District Collector is coming to visit us tomorrow or the day after. Roads are being cleaned today." Kamala Paatti selling Idlis cooked using firewood for over 30 years has been provided with an #HPGas commercial installation with proper Burner & Piping alongwith a Wet Grinder which will help her expand business & will ease her life with the convenience of cooking Idlis on LPG. pic.twitter.com/5ajWfReEdZ— Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (@HPCL) September 11, 2019 @BPCLCoimbatore is pleased to inform that we have issued @Bharatgas LPG connection to Ms. Kamalam.@revellid @PeethambarantT @ISrinivasRao2 @Dhanapals6 @BPCLLPG pic.twitter.com/p3mzfVhWP4 — Bharatgas_Coimbatore (@BPCLCoimbatore) September 11, 2019 District Collector of Coimbatore Mr. K. Rajamani, I.A.S, met her & felicitated her too. Fyi sir she never uses gas stove and she will won't use too / also she wants to sell Idly for Rs. 1 untill she is alive. pic.twitter.com/in7lS35IEG— Kishore Chandran (@Kishore36451190) September 11, 2019 Sir, Team IndianOil is with Maa Kamalathal at her residence at Vadivelpalayam, Puluvapatti, Coimbatore. Thank you so much Sir for enabling us to help her. pic.twitter.com/VOK5QS98n3 — G S P SINGH (@GSPSINGH2) September 11, 2019 ‘Idli paati’, as she’s dearly referred to by those who frequent her eatery for breakfast, is however busy tending to guests and relatives who are dropping by from afar. “She is quite active for her age. All these equipment are bound to make her work easier,” says Aarthi. While the grinder might be of much use to her now Kamalathal had remarked in her earlier interviews that she does not know how to cook using a gas stove. “I’m around all the time. I will help her with the gas stove,” Aarthy reassures with a smile in her voice. Kamalathal who has been making close to 1000 idlies by herself everyday was seen cooking using a wood burning stove in the video reported and shared by TNM earlier this month. Soon after the video went viral, many have been tweeting, lauding her efforts.

Body 2:

Accident

A boat carrying around 40 persons capsized in the middle of the Kollidam river in Ariyalur district on Wednesday evening.

Megha Kaveri

A 50-year-old woman was found dead and two men are still missing after a boat capsized in the Kollidam river on Wednesday evening. The woman was identified as Rani. The Fire and Rescue Services personnel fished Rani’s body from Anaikkarai in Thanjavur district, around 40 kilometres away from the site where the boat capsized. Speaking to TNM about the search and rescue operations, a senior officer at the Fire and Rescue Services Department, who is at the spot, said that it was only after the headcount this morning that they realised that three persons, who were on the boat, were missing. “Out of the 39 people who travelled in that boat, only 36 were present. We immediately launched search operations and recovered Rani’s body from around 40 kilometres from the spot of the capsize. The men who are missing are yet to be located. 60 personnel are searching for the two men in and around Anaikkarai region, where Rani’s body was found,” he said. On Wednesday evening, a boat capsized in the middle of the Kollidam river, near Ramanallur in Ariyalur district. Passengers were on their way to Kabisthalam for a temple festival. A few minutes after the boat set out on its journey across the river, it reportedly started leaning onto one side and quickly turned over, throwing all the people aboard into the water. Though some of them managed to swim to a sand dune in the middle of the river, others had to swim to the nearest point or wait inside the water for help to arrive. Since the boat capsized soon after it left the riverbank, the locals were one of the first persons to help the survivors. Others on the bank alerted the rescue services and the police immediately, who rushed to the spot.

Body 2:

Suicide

Police have registered a case of unnatural death.

TNM Staff

Chennai based businesswomen Reeta Lankalingam who is the joint managing director of the Lanson group was found dead at her residence on Thursday. The 49-year-old was married to businessman Lankalingam Murugesu, who is the Managing Director of the leading dealers of Toyota. On Thursday morning, she was found dead in her bungalow on Kothari road in Nungambakkam. She was found lifeless by Esupaatham, one of the supervisors of the house who had visited the couple’s house at 9 am on Thursday. After the supervisor intimated the Nungambakkam police, officers inspected the bungalow and sent her body to the Kilpauk Medical College for a post-mortem. Though the police's preliminary finding is that it was a death by suicide, no suicide note or letter was found during the search. The police have registered a case of unnatural death under section 174 of the IPC and a press release has been issued regarding the death. The note says that the cause of death is most likely suicide and that further investigations are being undertaken. She is survived by her husband, Lankalingam, a son, and a daughter. The Lanson group is a 100 million dollar business conglomerate which focuses in car dealership, food manufacturing and exports and biotechnology. If you or anyone you know is feeling depressed or suicidal, consider reaching out to one of the following helplines: Tamil Nadu: State health department suicide helpline number - 104 Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 Telangana: Telangana government suicide prevention toll free number - 104 Roshni- 040-66202000, 66202001 SEVA- 09441778290, 040 - 27504682(between 9 AM and 7 PM) Karnataka: Sahai : 24-hour helpline numbers: 080- 65000111, 080-65000222 Kerala: Maithri helpline - 0484-2540530 Chaithram helpline: 0484-2361161 Both are 24-hour helpline numbers. Andhra Pradesh: Life Suicide Prevention Helpline No.78930-78930 Roshni - Helpline 1: 9166202000 Helpline 2: 9127848584

Body 2:

Death

Subhasri who has become the latest victim of political apathy was an M.Tech graduate who was working in an IT company in Perungudi.

Megha Kaveri

Outside the mortuary of the Chromepet General Hospital in Chennai, a small crowd of youngsters were in shock, a few struggling to hold back their tears. They were friends of Subhasri Ravi, a 23-year-old techie who was killed around 2.30pm on Thursday at Palliakarani, on the 200-feet Radial stretch along the Thuraipakkam- Pallavaram road. Subhasri had been riding her two-wheeler when a hoarding erected on the road’s divider fell on her. Subhasri lost her balance, and as the bike veered off, she fell on the middle of the road. Eyewitnesses told the media that though the driver of a tanker lorry that had been coming from behind tried to apply brake, it rammed into the young woman. Though she was rushed to the Chromepet GH, she died within an hour. The hoardings had been erected on either sides of the road and on the divider by former AIADMK Councillor and Kancheepuram East MGR Mandram Assistant Secretary S Jayagopal to announce his son’s wedding. A high-profile wedding that saw even Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam attending it. An eyewitness Manimaran told the media, "One hoarding was already coming loose and I went and tied it. The banner fell on her and she slipped. Though the lorry tried to swerve and stop, the driver could not. Most of the banners were loose and crooked." The accident spot Subhasri who has become the latest victim of political apathy was an M.Tech graduate who was working in an IT company in Perungudi. The 23-year-old was reportedly returning home from her office. Some reports say that she had also written an exam to pursue her higher studies in Canada when the accident occurred. St Thomas Mount Traffic Investigation Wing has arrested the lorry driver and filed a case against him. A case has been filed against Manoj, the driver who hails from Bihar, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including section 279 (rash driving), section 333 (causing grievous injury), and section 304A (causing death by negligence). Though the police station has been tightlipped about the details, sources say that no case has been filed against Jayagopal till Thursday night. "We have filed a case against the person who put up the hoarding. We are not sure who it was outsourced to. If they had sought permission for it, the Revenue department will have the details. We will add names of the person who put it up and who gave order after investigation," Inspector Ravikumar of the St Thomas Mount station told TN. Despite multiple bans and High Court warnings, many politicians and political parties continue to erect hoardings and put up banners for every small event they are associated with. Though people are allowed to erect banners and hoarding after seeking police permission two weeks before, the High Court has repeatedly said that flex banners and hoardings of living persons cannot be put up. Moreover, rules dictate that the letters granting permission from the corporation be displayed on these banners. The AIADMK in particular is one of the biggest defaulters and despite being the ruling party, it has given scant regard to the court’s repeated orders. In November 2017, K Ragupathi, a software engineer from the US who had returned home to Coimbatore to meet a prospective bride, was killed after he rammed into an illegal wooden arch erected for MGR Centenary celebrations. The banners on the road

Body 2:

Accident

Subhasri was killed in a freak accident after an AIADMK banner fell on her, causing her to lose her balance and come under a passing tanker lorry.

Megha Kaveri

Hours after 23-year-old Subhasri was killed in Chennai after an AIADMK banner fell on her and then a tanker lorry ran over her, social media was abuzz with anger, empathy and questions over her death. While most reactions centred around demanding punishment for those responsible for erecting the party hoardings, some doubts were raised about whether Subhasri was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Putting to rest such speculation, the police said that Subhasri was indeed wearing a helmet while she was driving her two-wheeler back to home on Thursday afternoon when she met with the fatal accident. “Subhasri was wearing a helmet while she met with the accident,” Inspector Ravikumar of the St Thomas Mount Traffic Investigation told TNM on Thursday. He also said that Subhasri suffered grievous injuries to her arms, shoulders and ribs on the impact of the accident which could have caused internal injuries. “She was rushed to the critical care unit of a nearby hospital where the doctors tried to treat her for around an hour. But she didn’t respond to treatment and succumbed to injuries in the hospital,” he added. Meanwhile, people from across the state expressed their anguish and anger over the freak accident that snatched away the life and dreams of a young soul and her family. To all arivujeevis who are discussing if subhasree was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident, wear a helmet, and let someone throw a heavy object on you while you are driving, go under a lorry and apdiye poidu. Because you will also die. #WhoKilledShubashree — Shanjana Vakeeswaran (@shanjvakee) September 12, 2019 Dear Politicians, find a better way to show gratitude to your leaders not by killing us, it could be your daughter/son tomorrow. Requesting Honorable #MadrasHighCourt take serious actions and ensure the innocents safety on road. #WhoKilledSubhasree https://t.co/fBEOSvte01 — Anandan Shanmugam (@anandanrs) September 12, 2019 Many people also slammed the AIADMK for political apathy, drawing comparisons to the 2017 incident where K Ragupathi, a software engineer had reportedly rammed into an illegal wooden arch erected for MGR Centenary celebrations, fallen down and died after a tipper truck ran over him. #WhoKilledSubhasri All the political parties and fan clubs of actors are equally responsible for illegal banners and hoardings. The Madras High Court's order is clearly disrespected by the authorities indicating rule of law is only in paper— Bharath (@RaghavBharath) September 12, 2019 #WhoKilledSubhasree HC judgement has become joke for politicians n especially for the ruling government.. If the govt doesn’t follow HC order why the heck people should follow and pay useless fine??? Rule is for everybody.. This is murder someone should be punished! — Yogesh (@YogeshKD2228) September 12, 2019 I think this has to start with the people who put up huge hoardings for Gym membership, birthday party, weddings, etc.. politicians don't care. This problem is not new. Should see how the roads and footpaths are covered between Chennai Trade Centre and Porur. #WhoKilledSubhasree— Vishvaroop Patra (@vishvaroop) September 12, 2019 When Raghu was killed, this was painted in the road in cbe and was erased. It didn't make any change. Now rather than trending #WhoKilledShubashree in twitter, what will happen if #WhoKilledShubashree trends in real world. Walls,roads, buildings, posters need not be plain anymore pic.twitter.com/CwW7CgMUNp— vignesh viswanathan (@vignesh7986) September 12, 2019 On Thursday afternoon, Subhasri, a 23-year-old engineer was run over by a tanker lorry on the Thuraipakkam-Pallavaram radial road in Chennai. She fell on to the road after a hoarding erected for a wedding in former AIADMK councillor and Kancheepuram East MGR Mandram Assistant Secretary S Jayagopal’s family fell on her bike, causing her to lose her balance. The St Thomas Mount police have registered an FIR against the lorry driver and those behind erecting the hoardings. The driver has been arrested. Read: 23-yr-old Chennai techie Subhasri killed after AIADMK leader's hoarding turns death trap

Body 2:

Law

Ramasamy had filed a contempt petition with the Madras HC in 2018 over Tamil Nadu government’s failure to check illegal hoardings despite a court order banning them.

TNM Staff

Image for representation

Social activist ‘Traffic’ Ramasamy has sought action against those responsible for the death of Subhasri, a 23-year-old engineer, and has filed a complaint at the Pallikaranai police station. Subhasri was killed on Thursday afternoon as a hoarding on the median of the road fell on her vehicle, throwing her on to the road before she was run over by a tanker lorry. In his complaint, Ramasamy has urged the police to register a case under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC against the errant officials – ‘concerned police officer, corporation department official and the ruling party persons who have permitted or erected the banned illegal banner..which caused murder of one innocent young lady today’. His complaint comes hours after Subhasri was killed in an accident involving a hoarding mounted on the median for the wedding of an AIADMK functionary S Jayagopal. The hoardings erected on the Thuraipakkam-Pallavaram radial road were reportedly put up without necessary permissions from the authorities and a court order mandating prior permission from the authorities. In 2017, the Madras High Court ordered a ban on digital hoardings and banners with images of living persons on them. In 2018, Traffic Ramasamy had moved a contempt petition in the HC against the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu for failing to implement the court’s order on unauthorised digital banners. Hearing the petition, Justice M Sathyanarayanan and P Rajamanickam issued an interim order restraining political parties from erecting digital banners till further orders. The order also stated that unless the government of Tamil Nadu give an undertaking that the rules and orders related to banners will be strictly implemented, no political party shall put up digital banners. In June 2019, the HC warned of initiating contempt proceedings against the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary over non-compliance of the court’s orders on digital banners. The court had observed that the menace of illegal digital hoardings continues despite the orders of the court and a pending contempt petition filed before it.

Body 2:

Court

Subhasri, a 23-year-old techie, was run over by a tanker after an illegal AIADMK hoarding fell on her while she was riding her two-wheeler.

TNM Staff

“How many more litres of blood do you want to paint the roads with?” These were the observations made by the Madras High Court a day after 23-year-old Chennai techie Subhasri was run over by a tanker after an illegal AIADMK hoarding fell on her. The High Court lashed out at the Tamil Nadu government for failing to implement its orders on erecting hoardings, stating it was tired of passing multiple orders against illegal hoardings and banners. The division bench comprising Justice Seshasayee and Justice Sathyanarayanan was hearing a petition filed by activist ‘Traffic’ KR Ramaswamy over the Tamil Nadu government’s failure to check illegal hoardings despite a court order banning them. Slamming the government, the HC said, “The authorities have not followed the court’s orders pertaining to the banners. Even after multiple warnings, nothing has been implemented. We cannot do the government’s job.” With Subhasri being only the latest victim of these illegal hoardings that have turned death traps, the judges asked, “Is this the value that the life of a citizen has in this country? Why are bureaucrats so insensitive? These flex boards don't come up overnight.” Laying the blame for Subhasri’s death on the government, Justice Seshasayee said, “There is zero respect for lives in this country. It's bureaucratic apathy. Sorry we have lost faith in the government. There has been no response to any of our orders.” As the hoardings were put up by former AIADMK councilor S Jayagopal to announce his son’s wedding, the court questioned, “Can't that politician have conducted the family marriage without flex boards?” Questioning the state on its negligence, the court asked, “How did they allow such banners to be put up, occupying public space and disrupting traffic, for a private function of an individual in the first place?” “How many more deaths is the government and the authorities awaiting?” slammed the bench even as the judges were quick to observe that it was not just one party that was flouting the law. “No matter which party comes to power, the government authorities become the agents of that party. The authorities solve the issue by just offering compensation to the family after the accident.” The HC observed that no political party has responded to the court’s notices nor come out with a statement against flex boards. The division bench also drew attention to the AIADMK flags that were erected on Kamarajar Salai along Marina Beach on Friday for a function that was attended by Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam. “Who allowed party flags on the median opposite Madras University on Beach Road? Are political parties extra-constitutional authorities?” slammed the court. Pulling up CM Edappaadi Palaniswami, the court directed him to make a statement to his party cadre to not put up such illegal hoardings. “It must be the state's resolve to prevent illegal flex boards. Make it a movement in the state that we'll not do anything that harms the citizens of this country,” stated the bench. While the Advocate General sought two days’ time and promised that the police would take stern action, the High Court asked officials to remove all party flags from Kamarajar Salai (Beach Road) and report to it by 2.15 pm on Friday. This isn’t the first time that the High Court has pulled up the state government. In 2017, the Madras HC had banned flex boards and hoardings that featured images of living persons. The ruling was passed five days after the death of a 32-year-old engineer in Coimbatore in November 2017. Raghunath's bike hit an illegal wooden hoarding and he fell from his bike, after which a truck ran him over. The HC then ordered the removal of all illegal hoardings in the district ahead of the MGR birth centenary celebrations at the time. In December 2018, the Madras High Court had directed that no registered or even unregistered political party should erect flex boards that would cause inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians. This came after the government, local bodies, as well as police officials failed to regulate the display of flex boards on roadsides in accordance with the law. On January 11, the Supreme Court had issued a notice to the state government as well as to the Centre, directing them to restrict political parties from erecting digital banners. In March, the apex court reiterated the ban on political messaging in the state. The court then said that public places such as hills, hillocks and medians of highways are not to be defaced with political messages. The political parties in the state, including the AIADMK, have been repeatedly found to be flouting the rules and erecting life-size hoarding of its leaders, which even occupy a large portion of the footpaths. Read: 23-yr-old Chennai techie Subhasri killed after AIADMK leader's hoarding turns death trap Anger and anguish on social media over Chennai techie Subhasri’s death

Body 2:

Crime

S Jayagopal, a former AIADMK councillor who had erected the hoardings for his son's wedding has been booked for death by negligence.

TNM Staff

Hours after the death the 23-year old Chennai techie Subhasri, the city police have booked former AIADMK Councillor S Jayagopal for erecting illegal hoardings, which cost her life. A complaint was filed by the Greater Chennai Corporation and the Pallikaranai police have booked the AIADMK leader. A top police source confirmed to TNM that IPC sections 279 (rash driving in public), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) 304(A) (causing death by negligence) have been included in the FIR. Meanwhile, angered by the continued use of illegal hoardings, several protestors have demanded that Jayagopal be booked under section 304 - punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and not section 304 (A) - death by negligence. While the 304 could attract a prison term of up to ten years, imprisonment for death by negligence could extend only up to 2 years. However, a top police source told TNM that the current sections are based on the complaint. “This is based on the complaint. We will decide what other sections would be included at the time of filling the chargesheet based on evidence,” the source confirmed. The accused AIADMK leader- S Jayagopal, is a former councillor and Kancheepuram East MGR Mandram Assistant Secretary. Jayagopal had erected the hoardings in Pallikaranai to announce his son’s wedding – an event which even saw the attendance of Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. The poorly erected hoardings stood on either side of the 200-feet Radial stretch along the Thoraipakkam-Pallavaram road and were coming loose according to eye-witnesses. On Thursday, one of the hoardings collapsed on Subhasri who lost her balance and fell on to the middle of the road. The 23-year old B Tech graduate who was on her bike was instantly run over by a tanker lorry which was right behind her. While Subhasri was immediately rushed to the intensive care unit of a nearby hospital, she passed away after an hour or so. Doctors who were treating her confirmed that Subashri had sustained major injuries to her arms, ribs and shoulder and failed to respond to their treatment. St Thomas Mount Traffic Investigation Wing had on Thursday arrested the tanker driver and filed a case against him. A case has been filed against Manoj, the driver who hails from Bihar, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including section 279 (rash driving), section 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others), and section 304A (causing death by negligence). Meanwhile, Kolathur-based Shanmuga Graphics and Stickers, which had printed the illegal hoardings after securing a contract from Jayagopal remains shut on Friday, following the accident. The city corporation has laid out to specific rules for the erection of hoardings of banners. While a banner can only be erected for a maximum of 6 days, details of the permission issued by corporation has to be displayed on the hoarding. Further, details of the printers must also be laid out clearly on the hoardings. Despite multiple bans and High Court warnings, many politicians and political parties continue to erect hoardings and put up banners for every small event they are associated with. Though people are allowed to erect banners and hoarding after seeking police permission two weeks before, the High Court has repeatedly said that flex banners and hoardings of living persons cannot be put up. On Friday, the Madras High Court slammed the government for failing to implement the orders. Also read: How many more litres of blood will you spill?: HC slams TN govt after Subhasri dies

Body 2:

Subhasri death

The AIADMK asked cadre to avoid putting up banners that inconvenience the public, while DMK chief Stalin said the placing of banners on roads needs to be stopped.

Manasa Rao

File image

Hours after the Madras High Court directed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami to issue a statement to party cadre, the AIADMK leadership has asked its members not to put up illegal hoardings. A day after the tragic death of 23-year-old Chennai techie Subhasri shook the state, the ruling party issued a statement on Friday asking cadre to altogether avoid putting up banners that inconvenience the public. Other parties including the DMK, PMK and AMMK have urged their functionaries not to put up banners and hoardings for party events. On Thursday, an illegal hoardings placed to welcome Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to the wedding of former AIADMK Councillor S Jayagopal turned into a death trap when it fell on 23-year-old Subhasri. Losing her balance on the Thoraipakkam- Pallavaram road, she fell onto the road following which a tanker lorry ran over the young woman. She succumbed to her injuries an hour later at the Chromepet General Hospital. AIADMK Declaring that the primary duty of the party was to serve the people, the AIADMK statement said, “Whether it is advertising for AIADMK programmes or an invitation for the family functions of party cadre, we lovingly ask that party cadre affectionately stop the placing of banners that inconvenience the public. Party cadre must not indulge in any act that may cause hindrance to the people.” The statement jointly issued by Party Coordinator and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam along with Party Co-Coordinator and Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami added, “We are greatly distressed when we hear the news of people being affected by some actions of a few who are too eager or unaware of consequences or unaware of the rules in place.” “Therefore, the placing of cutouts, flex boards (banner) for any reason, under any circumstances, should be altogether avoided,” it said urging all party functionaries to follow the diktat. மாண்புமிகு துணை முதல்வர் திரு. ஓ. பன்னீர்செல்வம், மாண்புமிகு முதல்வர் திரு. எடப்பாடி கே. பழனிசாமி ஆகியோரின் அறிக்கை. கழக நிர்வாகிகளுக்கும், உடன்பிறப்புகளுக்கும் அன்பு வேண்டுகோள் ! pic.twitter.com/ig5rpSXfrv — AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) September 13, 2019 Read: How many more litres of blood will you spill?: HC slams TN govt after Subhasri dies DMK DMK President and Tamil Nadu’s Leader of the Opposition MK Stalin issued a statement on Friday restricting the number of banners to be put up by party cadre to two at the most with due permission. “While one or two banners may be kept safely for promotion during public meetings or functions with due permission, I cannot accept the placing (of banners) along roads and streets; I cannot accept the placing (of banners) in a manner that inconveniences vehicle drivers including two-wheelers and people and in a way that causes disaster to people. That needs to be stopped altogether,” read the statement. It also said, “I wish to reiterate that banners, cutouts, flex boards should not be kept in a manner that inconveniences people. If anyone violates this advisory, strong action would be taken; if it is a programme or meeting in which I am taking part, I will not participate in it.” Stalin also blamed the AIADMK's 'banner and cutout culture' for the death of Subhasri. நான் ஏற்கனவே பலமுறை அறிவுறுத்தியபடி திமுக பொதுக்கூட்டங்கள், நிகழ்ச்சிகள் எதிலும் பொதுமக்களுக்கும் போக்குவரத்துக்கும் இடையூறு ஏற்படுத்தும் விதத்தில் பேனர்கள், கட்-அவுட்கள், பிளக்ஸ் போர்டுகள் வைக்கக்கூடாது. இந்த அறிவுரையை யாரேனும் மீறினால் கடும் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும். pic.twitter.com/ATxmOA0oBe — M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 13, 2019 Read: Anger and anguish on social media over Chennai techie Subhasri’s death AMMK AMMK chief and RK Nagar MLA TTV Dhinakaran issued a statement on Friday blaming the apathy of the authorities that led to Subhasri's death. He said, “I ask that AMMK functionaries and cadres take this tragic occurrence as a warning and not place banners in the future for any party programmes in such a manner, in the middle of roads or at the corner of footpaths.” விளம்பரப்பதாகையால் பலியான இளம் பெண் சுபஸ்ரீக்கு இரங்கல்: காரணமானவர்கள் மீது கடும் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும்! கழக நிர்வாகிகளுக்கு பதாகைகள் வைக்கவேண்டாம் என வேண்டுகோள். pic.twitter.com/WHsOWOT9Zx — TTV Dhinakaran (@TTVDhinakaran) September 13, 2019 PMK In a tweet on Friday, PMK chief S Ramadoss said, "My orders that flags, cutouts should not be placed for Pattali Makkali Katchi programmes must be followed by PMK functionaries today and everyday. PMK members should not even think of violating this rule.” பாட்டாளி மக்கள் கட்சியின் நிகழ்ச்சிகளுக்கு பதாகைகள், கட்-அவுட்களை வைக்கக் கூடாது என்ற எனது ஆணை இன்றும், என்றும் பா.ம.க. நிர்வாகிகளால் கடைபிடிக்கப்பட வேண்டும். இந்த விதியை மீறுவது குறித்து பா.ம.கவினர் நினைத்துக் கூட பார்க்கக் கூடாது! — Dr S RAMADOSS (@drramadoss) September 13, 2019 Read: 23-yr-old Chennai techie Subhasri killed after AIADMK leader's hoarding turns death trap

Body 2:

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