Anti-liquor stir intensifies, protest in TN town turns violent

Agitations seeking total prohibition in Tamil Nadu intensified today in the state with a protest by local people and MDMK in Tirunelveli district turning violent.
The protests took place even as support for an August 4 bandh call grew over the issue.
Police lobbed tear-gas shells and lathi-charged protesters after a scuffle broke out between them. It was not immediately clear as to the number of persons injured.
Police said, scores of people had been arrested for indulging in violence.
The protests against state-run liqour outlets gained momentum today, two days after the death of Gandhian Sasi Perumal in Kanyakumari district during a stir against a liquor outlet.

In Tirunelveli District, a protest by locals and MDMK, seeking closure of a TASMAC outlet in Kalingapatti turned violent as alcoholic beverages in the outlet were brought to the road, broken and smashed by angry protesters.

Vaiko who led the stir and local people later blocked road traffic to protest against the police's action.
Vaiko's 99-year-old mother had led the protests yesterday.
An MDMK functionary on the spot alleged that the manner in which police handled the situation "is the reason" for the scenario. A tear-gas canister almost fell on Vaiko, he told PTI.
Senior police officials are on their way to the spot.

"Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalam has expressed solidarity for the protest, he is with us," the functionary said.
VCK leader Tirumavalavan who addressed the protesters at Kalingapatti, said the agitation was not for political gains, but for the welfare of the people.
Meanwhile, an unidentified young man climbed a 200-ft mobile phone tower in Kalingapatti as part of the stir and came down after much persuasion.
The family of Perumal staged a protest in Salem, while DMDK workers shut down a TASMAC shop in MGR Nagar here.
In Tirupur, members of Indiya Jananayaga Madar Sangam held a protest, demanding closure of liqour outlets.

In Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peravai chief (traders federation) T Vellaiyan said traders in all districts would down shutters on Aug 4 in homage to Perumal. They also supported prohibition.