Over 50 VCK workers held for violence

Over 50 Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi workers have been arrested from various parts of Tamil Nadu after 51 Govt buses were damaged in violent protests during the last four days.

Over 50 Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) workers have been arrested from various parts of Tamil Nadu after 51 government buses were damaged in violent protests during the last four days, a police officer said on Sunday.

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"The number of arrests is going up all the time as strict action is being taken against wrongdoers who are being jailed. I understand that the suspects belong to the VCK. Those damaging government property will be proceeded against regardless of political affiliations," Director General of Police KP Jain told IANS.

Five buses were burnt in three districts since morning including one in the capital. So far 51 vehicles have been damaged since Thursday in Cuddalore, Madurai and Villupuram districts and in Chennai, according to police sources.

So far, no one has been hurt in the incidents.

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, who began his "indefinite" fast in support of Lankan Tamils four days ago, is yet to call it off despite appeals from various political leaders and is holding discussions with party workers at the site of his protest in the southern outskirts of the state capital.

Those who had requested Thirumavalavan to give up his hunger strike include state Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy, PMK founder leader S Ramadoss and several Left leaders.

The Congress slammed "the uncontrolled lawlessness prevailing in Tamil Nadu due to inadequate police action".

"This uncontrolled lawlessness prevailing in Tamil Nadu is reprehensible and the police action to merely arrest and send a few to jail is woefully inadequate," said D Sudarsanam, the floor leader of the Congress in the state assembly.

"Those destroying public property have to be put down with an iron hand - which the state government is not at all doing, for reasons best known to it," he added.

According to Congress sources, a meeting of its 35 legislators has been called Monday to discuss the situation in the wake of attacks on its own workers at the hands of VCK volunteers last fortnight.

"You can expect a statement on this worsening development tomorrow (Monday)," a Congress legislator said on condition of anonymity.

The Congress is the main ally of the ruling DMK propping up its 95-member strong minority regime with its 35 legislators in a house of 234 members.

VCK, with a sole member in the assembly, is also a ruling party ally.