Pro-Tamil, Cong supporters clash over Rajiv case

Tumultuous scenes were witnessed today outside Satyamurthi Bhavan here, the headquarters of the State Congress unit when workers of a pro-Tamil outfit tried to storm it to condemn the Union government over the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case convicts' release issue.
Cadres of the little known "Tamil Padai" (Tamil Force) led by Veera Lakshmi numbering about 100 persons trooped outside Sathyamurthi Bhavan on GP Road raising slogans against the Congress and the Centre for trying to "muzzle" the state government on the convicts' release.
Even as the pro-Tamil supporters were raising slogans, Congress cadres gathered and began shouting them down. In the melee, stones were pelted on either side by some unidentified persons. Soon, the protestors were dispersed and detained at a hall by the police.

Anna Salai police officials said the protest was unlawful as agitators took to the road without permission.
"We will file cases under appropriate sections of IPC... protest in such a location cannot be allowed," an official said.
Soon after the ruckus had settled, another protest was held by workers of Tamil film director-turned-politician Seeman's "Naam Taamizhar Katchi" over the same issue. They were whisked away by police from the spot.
On February 19, Jayalalithaa had announced her government's decision to release all the seven convicts, a day after the Supreme Court commuted the death penalty of three of them - Murugan, Santhan and A G Perarivalan - to life.

The Supreme Court stayed the release of the three after the Centre filed a petition challenging the state government's decision. It then filed another application seeking stay on release of four other convicts, including Nalini.