Row over PMK leader arrest

By Irshad Ahamed

Ariyalur

July 5: Controversial PMK functionary Kaduvetti J. Guru was picked up by the police from his residence in Kaduvetti village near here in a pre-dawn operation that triggered tension and sporadic violence in Ariyalur and Perambalur districts on Saturday.

Mr Guru, also the state president of the Vanniyar Sangam, was arrested on the charge of attempting to murder a reformed bootlegger and AIADMK activist of his village. It is rumoured that the police could slap more cases, for instance, relating to his January speech threatening to kill Union minister A. Raja and DMK legislator Sivasankaran. The DMK had cited the speech to severe ties with the PMK in June.

PMK founder Dr Ramadoss promptly termed the arrest of Mr Guru, whom he had declared to be a foster son, "an act of political vendetta". "Whenever the DMK is voted to power, Karunanidhi is in the habit of torturing Guru and PMK cadres by foisting false cases," Dr Ramadoss told reporters at Tiruchy. According to sources, Gunasekaran (37), a PMK activist of Kaduvetti village, had joined the AIADMK following differences with the local PMK bigwigs. When he had attempted to start an "Ilaignar Paasarai," he was allegedly summoned by Guru. When Mr Gunasekaran visited Guru’s house on April 30, Guru, along with Nagasundaram, Kamaraj and Veerappan allegedly assaulted him. Based on a complaint lodged by Mr Gunasekaran, Meensurutti police arrested Nagasundaram, Kamaraj and Veerappan but had spared Guru.