TN This Week: Police Share CCTV Footage; Refute BJP's Claim of Security Failure at Raj Bhavan

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Tamil Nadu has sent a contempt notice to the state’s Home Department and senior police officers for failing to grant permission to conduct their route march on Sunday.

Tamil Nadu Chief Election Commissioner Satyabrata Sahoo on Wednesday held a meeting with the representatives of the recognised political parties to take their views into consideration ahead of releasing the draft electoral roll.

Alleging the involvement of K Gopal, who was appointed as Food Secretary recently, in the Rs 2,000 crore ration scam, Arappor Iyakkam has urged CM M K Stalin to suspend the IAS officer and enable fair investigation into the scam.

Ahead of Deepavali, the Tamil Nadu government on Thursday announced a bonus and ex-gratia for over 2.83 lakh eligible employees and workers of state-run public sector undertakings (PSUs) for 2022-23.

The Central Organisation of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Employees (COTEE) held multiple protests this week demanding that the state Electricity Board (TNEB) withdraw the e-tender notification to hire workers through a third party. Read more

The Japanese automobile spare parts production company Unipres Corporation has denied work to 127 permanent employees since August 24 for the 'offence' of unionising. The workers have been denied entry into the factory, which is located in SIPCOT, Oragadam, in Kanchipuram district. Read more

NewsClick brings you a round-up of the key developments from Tamil Nadu in the past week.

PETROL BOMB HURLED AT RAJ BHAWAN

A history-sheeter hurled a crude bomb at the front gate of Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Wednesday. On being nabbed by cops deployed at the main gate, the man, identified as Karukka Vinod, raised slogans against Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi for not signing the anti-NEET Bill passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly months ago.

The state government, in its statement, averred that adequate protection was being given to Raj Bhavan and the Governor continuously and said the Vinod was caught 30 metres away from the main gate.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai criticised the DMK government for "tying the hands" of the police while referring to the probe into the petrol bomb attack near the Raj Bhavan premises.

Cops released on Friday the CCTV footage showing the man preparing the petrol bomb. In the video, the accused, Karukka Vinod, can be seen preparing two petrol bombs before he was spotted by the police and pinned down. 

‘EXEMPT FROM NEET’ SAYS STALIN

M K Stalin on Friday urged President Droupadi Murmu to accord assent to the Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill, 2021, which will exempt the state from National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-based MBBS admissions.

Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), last Saturday, launched a signature campaign against NEET for admission into medical and dental colleges. DMK invited arch-rival AIADMK to participate in the protest and support the cause since it has now quit the BJP alliance.

On October 26, the Madras High Court refused to take suo motu cognisance of DMK members allegedly forcing school children to sign a memorandum as part of its latest campaign to seek exemption from NEET.

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES PROTEST

Indian Coach Factory (ICF) employees held a protest on Friday against the railway ministry for signing contract with a foreign firm to build the new Vande Bharat trains. In addition, ICF has reportedly said it will provide free electricity, gas, water, etc. for the production.

OMNIBUS OPERATORS HOLD PROTEST

A section of omnibus operators in Tamil Nadu announced on Tuesday that they will go on strike from 6 pm to object the state government's recent crackdown on them for overcharging. Around 120 buses have been detained and their owners have been penalised for charging surged fares. Passengers were reportedly deboarded from many vehicles by officials during the drive.

However, the Southern States Omni Buses Association stepped in and said, “People don't need to panic. Our association's 1,700 buses will function as usual. The impounding of Omni buses is true. That is due to the registration of buses in other states, which is creating losses for Tamil Nadu.”