Tamil Nadu

Mud flung at DMK Min Ponmudi in Villupuram during flood damage survey

The DMK has alleged that the attack was carried by members of an Opposition party.

Written by : TNM Staff

Unidentified individuals threw mud at Forest Department minister K Ponmudi on December 3 while he was overseeing relief efforts in Villupuram district’s flood hit areas. Hours after the incident, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) minister Sekar Babu alleged that the attack had been carried out by two individuals associated with a ‘certain party’. He further alleged that the attackers  were identified as Vijayaranji, a member of the party’s women’s wing and her relative Raman. 

According to Tamil news channels, the two individuals involved in the attack are affiliated to the BJP.  

The incident occurred in Iruvelpatti in Villupuram district where protests are ongoing against the state government’s response to the extensive damages due to Cyclone Fengal and its aftermath. Villupuram recorded the highest rainfall in the state with 49.8 cm rain recorded on December 1—the morning after Fengal made a landfall, according to the Indian Metrological Department (IMD). The high amount of rainfall led to widespread flooding and property and crop damages. 

Residents have been conducting protests in various parts of Villupuram district. Ponmudi, is among several ministers including Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanindi Stalin who have been directed to oversee relief efforts on the ground. He was deputed to Iruvelpatti, where residents were protesting on the Trichy-Chennai highway. 

The persons who flung mud at the minister were reportedly angry that he did not alight from the car to survey flood damages in the area and speak to protesters. Ponmudi was accompanied by DMK’s Villupuram district in-charge Gautham Sigamani and  district collector Palani. 

Puthiyathalaimurai reports that five villages in the area have been so heavily flooded that residents have been forced out of their homes and are presently taking refuge on the streets.  

Polimer News reports that Ponmudi did alight from the car after the incident and hold talks with the residents. 

In the meantime, Sekar Babu also claimed during his press conference that the incident was an attempt to “intimidate” those who are involved in relief efforts.