'Constitutional breakdown' in TN, invoke President rule: Swamy

Janata Party President today said he would approach the Supreme Court complaining of "Constitutional breakdown" in Tamil Nadu, and called for imposition of President's rule in the state.

Demanding stringent action against advocates who assaulted him in the Madras High Court, Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy today said he would approach the Supreme Court complaining of "Constitutional breakdown" in Tamil Nadu, and called for imposition of President's rule in the state.

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Swamy told media here that the 25 lawyers who were "responsible" for the unruly behaviour in the court in front of two judges yesterday should be arrested and debarred from attending the courts.

He alleged some of the advocates belonged to Naxal group, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Dravidar Kazhagam and PMK. Supreme Court should give a strict direction to ensure that court premises were safe and such incidents did not recur, he said. "Preventive and protective steps should be taken."

He said in view of the "bad" law and order situation in the state, President's rule should be imposed and the next election should be held under the direct control of the Central security forces.

Swamy said he would approach the apex court alleging "Constitutional breakdown" in the state. "In Tamil Nadu even High Court premises was not safe and pray to (apex) court to get the details about the steps taken by the Centre to dismiss the Tamil Nadu Government and establish the rule of law," he said.

Asked if he would file a criminal complaint against the attackers, Swamy said an official in the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police had been assaulted inside the court hall. Police should take suo motu action as it was a cognizable offence.

"It was stupidity to expect (LTTE leader) Prabhakaran to win the battle in the island nation by throwing rotten eggs inside the court hall in Tamil Nadu," he said.

Swamy said he would submit the copy of the order passed by the two judges --Justice P K Misra and Justice K Chandru-- in whose court he was assaulted and attacked with eggs, to the Supreme Court.

The two judges in their report mentioned the unruly behaviour of advocates inside the court hall using filthy language and attacking Swamy.

He said he would also urge the Supreme Court to seek details about the steps taken by the state and the Central governments for proper functioning of the High Court in the state.

Swamy also alleged that the National flag was burnt in the state five times recently. Educational institutions have been closed and the people were being taken for a ride under the pretext of organising agitations in support of the banned LTTE, he said. "What steps have been taken by the governments to stop all this? Should people of Tamil Nadu suffer because LTTE was suffering in Sri Lanka?" he asked.