MADRAS: Two persons set themselves ablaze late Feb 1 in protest against the dismissal of the DMK government in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of them died in hospital.
Condition of the other DMK supporters is stated to be critical.
However violence that broke out in the state since Wednesday night subsided with only some incidents of burning and stoning of vehicles
A statue of former state chief minister and AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran was slightly damaged by some persons at Sandamangalam in Salem district. Four persons including a local DMK functionary have been arrested.
Meanwhile DMK president M Karunanidhi demanded the resignation of president R Venkataraman as atonement for his role in the DMK ministry’s downfall.
State governor SS Barnala scotched rumors that he planned to resign but added to queries on the government’s dismissal that his views were not material now.
Burning of vehicles was reported from Ramanathapuram Salem Madurai Chidambaranar Coimbatore North Arcot Ambedkar Dindigul-Quaid-E-Millath and South Arcot districts of the state. A bus was set ablaze in Tirunelveli.
Officials said 25 state-owned buses were burnt in the last 48 hours while 70 were damaged. Buses were withdrawn on Jan 30 night but with the situation improving long distance buses were running in convoys with police escort.
The number of persons arrested throughout the state in connection with the violent incidents has gone up to 1800.
A Pondicherry report said three persons were injured when a bus belonging to the central university was stoned.
Meanwhile a Coimbatore report said a state-owned transport corporation bus was set on fire by a group of persons near Pollachi.
Thirteen persons including five women were taken into custody when they attempted to block traffic by squatting on the road on the outskirts of the city.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 8, 1991
