Complete breakdown in constitutional machinery in TN: DMK

DMK today alleged that there was a "complete breakdown in constitutional machinery" in Tamil Nadu following the conviction of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case and sought the intervention of the President and Prime Minister to restore law and order.
Party chief M Karunanidhi wrote a letter marked to President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India R M Lodha, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah besides Chief Justice of Madras High Court, Sanjay Kishan Kaul, saying the state was witnessing large-scale violence "leading to law and order problems".
AIADMK cadres were targeting DMK leaders and functionaries, residence of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy besides "attacking the innocent public and destroying public properties." The media was also not spared, he said.

Police were silent spectators to the large-scale violence carried out by AIADMK, he alleged. Police and the state administration were not in a position to handle the situation and the people were "living in grip of fear."
"There is a complete breakdown of constitutional machinery in Tamil Nadu. Unless stringent measures are taken immediately by the state police and administration, we fear (for) the safety of the people of Tamil Nadu," he said in the letter.
The law and order situation could worsen if the present situation was allowed to continue, he said, adding, this would pose "grave threat" to life and property.

"Under these circumstances, I request your good self to intervene and take appropriate measures forthwith to restore the law and order to ensure public peace, tranquility and safety of the citizens and their properties in Tamil Nadu," he said in the letter which was also marked to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Mohan Verghese Chunkath and Home Secretary Apurva Verma.
Karunanidhi also sought steps against "erring" police officials who were "hand-in-glove"' with AIADMK men and perpetuating violence and failing to check violators.
Jayalalithaa was awarded a four-year jail term by a Bangalore special court in the disproportionate assets case, which resulted in widespread violence in the state.