An expelled party member of TTV Dhinakaran’s Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam decided to take revenge on Sunday and reached outside the party leader’s residence in Adyar. Once there, he attempted arson – and while it’s unclear exactly what his intention was, 'Bullet' Parimalam ended up setting fire to a part of his own car.
In the attempt, Parimalam himself was injured, and three others – Dhinakaran's driver Pandidurai, an auto driver and a Jaya TV cameraperson – were also hurt. They are getting medical help at Malar hospital in Adyar.
According to members of AMMK, Parimalam had been removed from the party last week and he arrived outside Dhinakaran's residence at around 12.15 pm on Sunday.
Pictures from outside TTV’s residence show an Innova whose windshield is broken, with two large stones on its hood.
Other pictures show a black burn/tar mark on the road near the car.
There is also a picture of a machete in a suitcase, which was reportedly retrieved from Parimalam’s vehicle.
Dhinakaran's driver was injured when he tried to stop Parimalam from the carrying out the arson.
"Parimalam is undergoing treatment in Malar hospitals. But we have caught hold of his driver and conducted enquiries. He tells us that this was merely an effort to show dissent towards the expulsion," said an investigating official.
On rumours surrounding the nature of the attack, the official said, "There was no petrol used or petrol bombs present.”
(This is a developing news story)