Activist death: DMK seeks probe, bandh called by other parties

The death of Gandhian activist Sasi Perumal during a protest against a state-run liquor outlet is snowballing into a major political issue with DMK and PMK demanding a judicial probe and other parties, including Vaiko-led MDMK, calling for a bandh on August 4.
The demand for the dry law was given an intense push by almost all Opposition parties after the death of 59-year-old Sasi Perumal, who had been campaigning for a total prohibition in Tamil Nadu in the past several years.
"The AIADMK regime should own up responsibility for Sasi Perumal's death and for the people to know the full information, it will only be appropriate to hold a judicial inquiry headed by a judge of the high court," DMK President M Karunanidhi said in a statement.

The activist had climbed a 120-feet mobile phone tower in Kanyakumari district demanding closure of a liquor outlet near an educational institute but collapsed during the more than five-hour long stir and declared brought dead at a hospital.
"A probe by a sitting High Court Judge should be ordered. A solatium of Rs 50 lakh should be given to Sasi Perumal's family. A government job must be given to a person from his family," PMK chief Ramadoss said in a statement.
Upping the ante over the issue, MDMK leader Vaiko, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi President Thol Thirumavalavan and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi President Jawahirullah gave a call for a dawn-to-dusk bandh on August 4, which received instant support from BJP, CPI-M and CPI.

In a joint statement, they said that the state government should come forward for closure of liquor shops as demanded by Sasi Perumal.

"While traders have called for bandh in Kanyakumari district on August 4, we also request political parties, public welfare associations, students and womens to stage a state-wide bandh on the same day," it said.
BJP Tamil Nadu unit President Tamilisai Soundararajan, CPI(M) State Secretary G Ramakrishnan, CPI State Secretary R Mutharasan said their parties will support the bandh call.
In Coimbatore, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishan said the state government should come forward to announce prohibition as a mark of respect to the Gandhian.

Stating that almost all political parties in the state were in favour of prohibition, he said that banning liquor would make lakhs of women very happy.
TNCC president EVKS Elangovan alleged negligence on the part of officials for the death of Sasi Perumal, who had given advance intimation about his protest.
Officials should have prevented Sasi Perumal from climbing the tower or they must have brought him down, he said.
"It is possible to bring in prohibition, as there was total prohibition during Congress rule in Tamil Nadu (till 1967)," he reminded.
As a mark of respect to Sasi Perumal, party flags will fly half mast in all Congress offices in the state for three days, he said.