Supporters of PMK chief Ramadoss expelled leader Anbumani clash over anniversary event

    Villupuram (Tamil Nadu), Sep 12 (PTI) Supporters of PMK founder S Ramadoss and his estranged son Anbumani nearly came to blows on Friday at Tindivanam near here in connection with accessing Vanniyar Sangam office premises to pay tributes to reservation movement crusaders.
    While Anbumani's loyalists were making arrangements to honour the memory of quota champions on September 17 at the Sangam office, supporters of Ramadoss objected and also allegedly locked the office, leading to noisy arguments and commotion and police intervened.
    The anniversary of a struggle seeking a reservation for Vanniyars is annually observed on September 17. On that day in 1987, 21 people were killed in police firing during protests urging quota. Objections were raised by Ramadoss supporters when loyalists of Anbumani made arrangements to mark the 38th anniversary.
Police personnel were deployed at the Sangam office premises and both sides have lodged complaints with the police.
    Supporters of Anbumani later told reporters that police permission had already been obtained to hold the September 17 event at Vanniyar Sangam office in Tindivanam and arrangements were in progress. However, all of a sudden, the office was locked by unidentified persons.
    Even if PMK founder Ramadoss intends to hold an event on the very same date at the same premises to honour those who sacrificed their lives to get reservation, it is agreeable to them, a Anbumani loyalist said in a conciliatory tone.

    Further, he said: "We are ready to hold our event one hour after party founder's event (Veera Vanakkam nigazhchi, valourous salutations event to honour those who sacrificed their lives for reservation) and this has been communicated to police as well."
    Hence, police should allow and make facilitation so that supporters of both Ramadoss and Anbumani could hold the event, Anbumani supporters requested.
    PMK founder Ramadoss expelled his son Anbumani on September 11 from the party.
    A confidant of Anbumani and a longtime PMK office bearer K Balu had said that the expulsion was invalid. Anbumani struck a defiant note and continued with this ongoing state-wide yatra. On September 12, he took part in events, as part of his campaign at Neyveli in Cuddalore district.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)