TVK functionary among 52 persons booked in Vandavasi for obstruction of traffic movement

A 32-year-old Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionary was among 52 party workers booked by Vandavasi South police in Tiruvannamalai on Thursday for traffic violations, after they tried to honour the functionary with a huge garland using a crane.

Police said S. Udayakumar, an organising secretary for Tiruvannamalai West of TVK, is a native of Anakavoor village near Cheyyar town in the district and a real estate dealer. Police said as part of his 32nd birthday celebrations, Udayakumar and the TVK cadre took out a road show in his open car the previous evening on the busy stretch. The roadshow was illegal as they did not get the necessary police permission for it.

During the road show, Udayakumar halted his vehicle near the elevated corridor on the stretch when a group of supporters tried to honour him with a huge garland, using a crane. They also presented him with a sword as part of the celebrations. The incident happened around 7.15 p.m.

Police said the action by the TVK cadre affected traffic movement on the stretch. The duty police personnel, including sub-inspectors attached to Vandavasi South police K. Vinayakamurthy and S. Murugan, stopped the celebrations.

Based on a complaint by K. Srirangan, village administrative officer (VAO), Vandavasi, a case has been registered against 52 persons. Police also seized the crane that was used to carry the garland for the celebrations. A probe is under way.