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Bedlam in TN assembly as AIADMK member assaults minister

Infuriated by the assault, some ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazagham members rushed menacingly towards Thamaraikani and his colleague R Karuppasamy. But Deputy Speaker Parithi Ilamvazhuthi and DMK chief whip Mubarak prevented them.

Members of other opposition parties, including the Tamil Maanila Congress, Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India-Marxist threw a cordon around the two AIADMK members, who were later escorted out.

Arumugam, who sustained bleeding injuries in his nosebridge, had to be given first-aid. An X-ray would be taken later.

Following a resolution moved by Health Minister Arcot N Veerasamy, Speaker P T R Palanivel Rajan suspended the two AIADMK members for the rest of the budget session. Both Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and leader of the house K Anbazhagan were not present in the house when the incident occurred.

The trouble started when Karuppasamy, while participating in the debate, alleged that the state police were not given a free hand to deal with mounting law and order problems. Countering this, Veerasamy wanted the member to list specific instances with evidence so that the government could take action.

At this juncture, Thamaraikani said Palanimuthu, a alleged rowdy in his Srivilliputhur constituency, was flaunting photographs of him taken with the DMK district secretary, a minister and M K Alagiri, the chief minister's son. This drew loud protests from the DMK members.

Arumugam, who was seated in front of Thamaraikani, got up to protest. Following this, the two were engaged in a wordy duel.

At this juncture, Thamaraikani assaulted Arumugam inflicting a deep cut on his nosebridge. A stunned Arumugam had to cover his face with a blood-soaked handkerchief.

After the attack, some DMK members rushed with raised fists towards Thamaraikani and Karuppasamy. A few of them could be seen running even atop benches, but they were halted by Ilamvazhuthi and Mubarak.

At this stage, other opposition members, including G Palanisamy and K Subbaroyan (CPI), R Chokkar (TMC) and S Thirunavukkarasu (MGR-ADMK) threw a cordon around the two AIADMK members.

The speaker ordered the immediate eviction of the two AIADMK members, who were escorted out by the watch and ward staff.

Members of various parties, including the TMC, CPI, CPI-M, PMK, Indian National League and MGR-ADMK condemned the assault on Arumugam, describing it as 'barbaric' and 'uncivilised' and demanded stern action against them to avoid recurrence of such incidents.

UNI

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