Sacred thread row: Murugan urges action, cops deny incident

Tirunelveli: Union minister of state for information and broadcasting, L Murugan, visited the house of a brahmin youth allegedly attacked by a gang that cut his sacred thread in Tirunelveli, and urged the police to take strong action against the perpetrators. However, Tirunelveli city police clarified that such an incident did not happen as claimed by the victim.
According to a complaint filed by Sundar, the father of Akilesh, his son left the house around 4.30pm on Sept 21 to participate in the events at Astik Samaj. While he approached the 14th South Street corner, he was intercepted by four people riding two-wheelers who cut the sacred thread (poonool) worn by his son. They also threatened Akilesh not to wear the sacred thread.
A statement from Tirunelveli police said that based on Sundar's complaint at Perumalpuram police station, a CSR was registered. The inquiry officer examined the CCTV footage from the scene and the surrounding areas.
After reviewing the footage and inquiring the witnesses present, it revealed that there was no evidence of individuals snatching the sacred thread from Akilesh.
Addressing reporters, Murugan said that law and order in Tamil Nadu is in dire straits.
On the ongoing encounters against history-sheeters, Murugan said that as an advocate, he is against the encounters carried out by the Tamil Nadu police. "Till proven guilty, they are only accused, and police should not take the law into their hands and indulge in extra-judicial killings except for self-defence," he said.
Earlier, at Tuticorin airport, Murugan told reporters that the Tamil Nadu govt should submit a white paper report on the Cooum river rejuvenation in Chennai. They dumped 500 crore into the Cooum river. Stalin has been saying that right from his mayor and deputy chief minister days.
"We need a big master plan and dedication to evict encroachments without any partiality," Murugan said.
On the fishermen row with Sri Lanka, the minister said that the Union govt has been securing the release of fishermen regularly and the Centre has been working for their welfare.