Chennai, Nov 5 (IANS) Dalit leader K. Krishnaswamy Wednesday met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and sought more police protection for political leaders in the state in the aftermath of recent attacks.
'I have asked the chief minister to convene an all-party meeting shortly to deliberate upon the strengthening of security measures given to politicians who are under increasing attacks in the state,' Krishnaswamy told reporters here.
Krishnaswamy's convoy of cars was attacked Sunday by an unruly mob that led to state-wide protests. In the violence, his supporter S. Suresh was killed in firing in Madurai district Tuesday.
The Dalit leader said police officials in Madurai had masterminded the attack on him, though police denied the charge.
Over 500 workers of Puthiya Thamizhagam, a political outfit headed by Krishnaswamy, have since been arrested.
Krishnaswamy demanded their immediate release and an ex gratia payment of Rs.500,000 to the deceased.
Meanwhile, Navaneethakrishnan, an advocate associated with the AIADMK, told the Madras High Court in a petition that measures to protect senior politicians in the state remained only in paper.
He gave the details of the security accorded to Leader of Opposition J. Jayalalitha of AIADMK. Judge M. Jayachandran told the petitioner that the court would analyse details and announce its observations soon.
Within a span of 10 days, Jayalalitha and Krishnaswamy have accused the DMK government of organising assaults on them.
Jayalalitha alleged that the DMK had tried to kill her following the stoning of her car in Pasumpon, a village in Ramanathapuram district, last week. Police said it was the handiwork of AIADMK supporters against police security measures for her.
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