Detention of conservancy workers condemned
In a statement of August 14, TDP general secretary K. Venkatraman termed the police action against the participants of the 'peaceful demonstration' and subsequent arrests citing an High Court Order as an act of curbing the democratic rights of the people.
The DMK government, which often claims that it 'opposes the BJP's privatisation,' has done the same at the GCC, where it has handed over the civic body's responsibility for garbage disposal to an Andhra Pradesh-based private company through a ₹2,700 crore tender, he said.
Stating that the arrested conservancy workers and their supporters were being released only after the condemnation by the High Court, TDP general secretary exhorted the DMK government to ensure that all the arrested workers and their supporters were released and the legal action initiated against them withdrawn. He urged the State government to fulfil the demands of the workforce without fail.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Congo condemns Kenya's Goma consul move as breach of international law
Congo has rejected Kenya's appointment of a consul general in Goma, accusing Nairobi of breaching international law and bypassing diplomatic protocol Abandoned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that belonged to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) is seen at Goma airport after the town was seized by the M23 rebels, in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. File image/ Reuters The Congolese government rejected Kenya's appointment of a consul general in the conflict-torn city of Goma on Saturday, claiming a breach of international law and a lack of proper diplomatic procedures. Goma, in eastern Congo, has been the site of a struggle between the Congolese government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which launched a lightning assault on the mineral-rich regional city in January. After many days of combat, the rebels took control of the city, and the Congolese army fled. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As required by international law and diplomatic protocol, Kenya did not communicate with the Congolese government in Kinshasa prior to making the declaration, the country's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. M23, which is one of about a hundred groups fighting in eastern Congo, has attempted to establish a parallel government in the region, saying it is freeing the region from what it alleges is misrule by Kinshasa. M23 has been accused of widespread abuses, and Congo's government argued that that the way Kenya nominated the diplomat to the occupied city of Goma without informing the Congolese government could appear to legitimize the rebel group's occupation. Kenya's announcement was made Friday as part of a raft of diplomatic appointments. Congo's foreign ministry called for 'caution and discernment in public communication to avoid any misunderstanding, speculation, or the appearance of legitimization of the ongoing illegal occupation.' Qatar has tried to mediate between the Congolese government and the rebel group, which led to the signing of a 'declaration of principles' to end the decades-long fighting, but talks have since faltered and fighting has resumed. The conflict has been a magnet for neighbouring countries, including Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Kenya, all of which have had troops on the grounds, complicating regional efforts to end the fighting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Christian Moleka, a Congo-based political analyst, told The Associated Press that the appointment might have regional implications. He said it could reinforce Kinshasa's distrust of Kenya, which has been moving closer to Rwanda under President William Ruto, and weaken regional initiatives to establish peace.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
‘DMK alliance is intact in Tamil Nadu'
The INDIA alliance led by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu is firm and no party will exit the alliance, claimed the alliance parties at the CPI State Conference on Saturday. On the second day of the conference, leaders of INDIA alliance parties including Congress, MDMK, CPI(M), KMDK, TVK, IUML, and MMK participated. Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi (TVK) president T. Velmurugan said even though Left parties were in the DMK alliance, they were not accepting all the laws brought by the government. They raised their voice and pointed out the mistakes. The parties in the DMK alliance would not exit the alliance for seats or other benefits, Mr. Velmurugan added. Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi (KMDK) general secretary E.R. Eswaran said as there was democracy in Tamil Nadu, even the alliance parties protested against the government. Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary P. Shanmugam said the BJP government was acting against the Indian Constitution and attacking its basic concepts of democracy, secularism, and federalism. Through new laws, the Centre was allegedly grabbing the rights of people. Fortunately, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP did not get the majority and they were unable to change the Constitution. All democratic forces should be united to unseat the BJP government and Communists would work for this. The Communists always fought for the welfare of workers, be it Samsung workers or conservancy workers and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also knew this., Mr. Shanmugam added. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai said whenever democracy was in danger, the Communists would raise their voice. Until Congress, Communists, and other democratic forces were in Tamil Nadu, the BJP would be defeated.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
ED raids across two cities over reopened case against Tamil Nadu minister, DMK says bid to deflect from ‘vote chori'
Officers from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched simultaneous searches on Saturday at the properties of Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister I Periyasamy, his family members, and linked premises in Dindigul and Chennai, reviving a years-old disproportionate assets case that had been dismissed but was recently reopened by the Madras High Court. About a dozen ED officials, split into three teams and backed by armed Central Reserve Police Force personnel, arrived at three residential locations in Dindigul — Durairaj Nagar, Vallalar Nagar, and Seelapadi — around 7:30 am. Local DMK cadre quickly gathered near the sites as police tightened security. The searches targeted the minister's home, as well as that of his son and Dindigul East MLA I P Senthil Kumar and his daughter Indra. In Chennai, ED teams conducted searches at Periyasamy's official bungalow on Greenways Road under heavy Central Armed Police Force protection. Officers also visited the MLAs' hostel at the Government Omandurar Estate. Periyasamy, a senior leader of the ruling DMK, his wife Suseela, and sons Senthil Kumar and Prabhu had been acquitted by a Dindigul trial court in a Rs 2.01 crore disproportionate assets case dating back to 2006–2010. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption alleged that the family had amassed assets in excess of their known income during his earlier tenure as minister. The acquittal was overturned in April by Justice P Velmurugan of the Madras High Court, who ordered a fresh trial. The family has appealed in the Supreme Court, with a hearing scheduled for August 18. The DMK responded sharply, framing the raids as politically motivated and timed to distract from what the party called the BJP's own electoral misconduct. 'This is an attempt to divert attention from vote chori (theft),' said DMK organisation secretary R S Bharathi, invoking a phrase used by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to describe alleged fraud. In a formal statement, Bharathi said: 'The BJP stands exposed for indulging in electoral fraud by using the Election Commission. The country is shocked over this. To divert attention from the illegal vote chori, the Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches at premises linked to Periyasamy.' Bharathi said the DMK 'would neither fear the ED nor Modi,' and accused the BJP of weaponising state institutions: 'The BJP was using empowered and autonomous bodies as its election instruments.' While the ED has not disclosed the specific trigger for Saturday's searches, the revival of the disproportionate assets case has heightened political tensions as Periyasamy remains an influential figure in the DMK. The outcome of the Supreme Court hearing next week could determine whether the disproportionate assets case proceeds to trial again.
