Police fire in air as crowd takes poll officials captive in Theni

The police fired four rounds in the air to disperse a violent crowd and rescue poll officials who were reportedly held captive in Andipatti, Theni when they attempted to raid the AMMK’s party office in the locality late on Tuesday.

Based on a tip-off that cash was being distributed to voters, poll officials in the Andipatti constituency tried to enter the office. The AMMK workers besieged them and entered into a heated argument. On being alerted, the police rushed to the spot and attempted to pacify the crowd. The police tried to convince the crowd against holding back the poll officials from discharging their duty. Paying no heed, the crowd continued to prevent the officials from entering the premises. The police then used mild force. Superintendent of police (SP), Theni, Bhaskar, said the mob turned violent and the police had to fire in the air for self defence and to extricate the officials. No one has been injured in the melee.

Earlier, I-T officails had raided DMK leader Kanimozhi’s rented residence in Thoothukudi.