Tamil Nadu Chennai Highlights: AIADMK’s jubilee fete begins, Sasikala makes strong pitch for comeback

Active COVID-19 infections in Tamil Nadu dropped below 15,000 on Sunday as Tamil Nadu logged 1,218 fresh cases, pushing the overall caseload to 26,87,092. As many as 15 people succumbed to the deadly virus, taking the toll to 35,899, a medical bulletin said. Recoveries eclipsed new infections with 1,411 people getting discharged in the last 24 hours, aggregating to 26,36,379 leaving 14,814 active infections, it said.

Tamil Nadu has been witnessing a decline in daily cases and on August 20, the active infections dropped below 20,000. A total of 1,28,313 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, pushing the cumulative number of specimens examined to 4.94 crore till date.

Chennai and Coimbatore recorded new cases with the state capital adding 156, Coimbatore 132 while the remaining was scattered across other districts. (PTI)

The yearlong (2021-22) golden jubilee celebrations of the AIADMK's founding began on Sunday, and it was marked by a renewed and an open attempt by V K Sasikala, confidante of late party supremo J Jayalalithaa, to get back control of the party by harping on 'unity' mantra.

Sasikala's strong pitch for joining forces for the sake of the 'party and people' was, however, rejected by the AIADMK, which reiterated that there is no place for her in the party. She unfurled the AIADMK flag at the T Nagar memorial of party founder and late Chief Minister M G Ramachandran here and a plaque unveiled on the occasion addressed her as party 'general secretary,' which was strongly opposed by the main opposition party.

Recalling a didactic Tamil film song 'Kanpona Pokkiley' in a MGR flick, which cautions against choosing a path based on whims and fancies rather than wisdom and reason, Sasikala said, "you decide to whom this is applicable today."

Apparently, the message was to the AIADMK brass, steered by O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami, both former Chief Ministers. Addressing supporters at MGR's Ramapuram Garden residence here, Sasikala said had the party been in power in the golden jubilee year, it would have been a proud moment, in honour of both MGR and 'Amma.' Ahead of the start of her prison term in 2017, she ensured that the AIADMK was in the saddle of power in Tamil Nadu, she said. (PTI)

A leopard, believed to be four years old, was found dead on a road between Thalavadi and Thalamalai in Erode district on Sunday, forest officials said. The big cat might have been fatally hit by an unidentified vehicle, said the officials and a veterinarian who went to the scene after being informed by villagers about the death.

Later, the officials said they disposed of the carcass. Investigations have begun to identify the vehicle which caused the death of the leopard, they added. (PTI)

A catalogue, a purported annexure of an official circular, listing '61 specific sources' that are exploited by a section of police personnel to demand bribe has surfaced in the social media with the BJP demanding to know if corruption has increased in police department with the DMK assuming power in Tamil Nadu.

The 'annexure' lists bribe money ranging from Rs 100 to as high as Rs 1 lakh and this is believed to be the 'rate per month' in case of lodges and others and for other category of people, this is a 'one time demand' for services like issuance of a 'No Objection Certificate or for providing a copy of FIR.' The bribe is demanded mainly to allow illegal activities like smuggling including sand and for permitting gambling, banned lottery and so on.

The circular from the Tamil Nadu state police headquarters here to officials in districts has ordered stern action against such tainted elements. The district level officials and those in the jurisdiction of police ranges have forwarded the missive to others like deputy police superintendents working under them.

Police sources, however, neither denied nor confirmed the issuance or receipt of the 'annexure,' that listed specific rates demanded by writers in police stations, sub-inspectors, inspectors, special branch personnel and those deployed in patrol duties including on the highways. (PTI)

Tamil Nadu: Sasikala has no right to hoist AIADMK flag or use our party name and claim herself as general secretary. If Sasikala claims herself as general secretary of AIADMK then it's against the court's order: AIADMK leader & former minister, D Jayakumar pic.twitter.com/lzKZl5otPR

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2021

It is now time to be united for the sake of party and welfare of people: Expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala on the party's 50th anniversary in Chennai pic.twitter.com/ck1V9O83gv

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2021

Chennai | Expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala paid floral tributes to party founder MG Ramachandran at Ramavaram pic.twitter.com/ouW9Ygi3cg

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2021

Chennai | Expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala hoists AIADMK flag and distributes sweets outside MGR memorial at T-Nagar on the party's 50th anniversary pic.twitter.com/y1CtX1AoEy

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2021

The stone plaque at the venue. It identifies the former #AIADMK leader as the General Secretary of the party. #Sasikala #AIADMK50 @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/rMeRV2qWFj

— Janardhan Koushik (@koushiktweets) October 17, 2021

Expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala Sunday visited AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran's memorial house in T Nagar on the occasion of AIADMK's 50th anniversary. Sasikala also released a book 'Enaku Mattum Therintha MGR' authored by MGR's grandson Kumar Rajendra. 

Expelled AIADMK leader VK #Sasikala visits #AIADMK founder #MGR's memorial house in T Nagar, releases a book 'Enaku Mattum Therintha MGR' authored by MGR's grandson Kumar Rajendran. #AIADMK50thYear @IndianExpress

— Janardhan Koushik (@koushiktweets) October 17, 2021

Tamil Nadu: AIADMK leaders Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam garland the statue of party founder MG Ramachandran & J Jayalalithaa at AIADMK headquarters in Royapettah, Chennai on the party's 50th anniversary pic.twitter.com/t2uEcrFGlo

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2021

Tamil Nadu on Friday reported 1,233 new Covid-19 cases along with 15 more fatalities. The state also recorded 1,434 discharges taking the total active cases to 15,022.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin distributed financial assistance and welfare aid to the tune of Rs 2.87 crore to 560 beneficiaries here on Saturday and presented a prized book to a child marathon runner for spreading awareness on UNDP's sustainable development goals (SDGs).

V Sharvesh covered 750 km from the Thiruvalluvar statue in Kanyakumari district to Chennai's landmark structure - Valluvar Kottam - to spread awareness on the SDGs, the blueprint for a better and a more sustainable future. (PTI)

Expelled All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader VK Sasikala’s nephew VN Sudhakaran was released from the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison on Saturday morning after serving term in a disproportionate assets case.

A government school teacher who meted out corporal punishment to a class 12 student, for skipping classes, was arrested and remanded, police said on Saturday.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in securing the release of 23 fishermen of the State, arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, and demanded a lasting solution to the issue concerning them.

In a letter to the Prime Minister a copy of which was released to the press, Stalin said the fishermen set out to sea from Nagapattinam on October 11, got arrested by the Navy near the traditional fishing base of Point Pedro on October 13 and taken to Karainagar naval base where they were detained. 'This is highly reprehensible,' Stalin said.

He urged the Prime Minister to immediately intervene and take steps to permanently end the long-standing dispute between the Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen, an official press release from the Tamil Nadu government said. The Chief Minister asked Modi to take up the issue with the Sri Lankan authorities at the diplomats-level and ensure the freedom of the 23 fishermen. (PTI)

#WATCH Former AIADMK leader VK Sasikala pays floral tribute to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa at her memorial at Marina Beach, Chennai pic.twitter.com/FainvE184X

— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2021

Expelled AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala is likely to visit the memorial of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in Chennai today, a day ahead of the golden jubilee celebration of the founding of the AIADMK party. This will be Sasikala’s first visit to the memorial since she was released from the Parappana Agrahara prison in Bengaluru after serving a four-year jail term in a disproportionate assets case.

#VKSasikala to visit the memorial of former #TamilNadu chief minister #Jayalalithaa in #Chennai today, a day ahead of the golden jubilee celebration of the founding of the #AIADMK party.

Follow live updates of VK Sasikala's visit here: https://t.co/uK1WPTrjlF#AIADMK50thYear

— Express Chennai (@ie_chennai) October 16, 2021

Tamil Nadu on Friday recorded 1,245 new Covid-19 infections and 16 more deaths, pushing the caseload to 26,84,641, and the death toll to 35,869. Over 1,442 people recovered from the infection, leaving 15,238 active infections. Chennai and Coimbatore accounted for the majority of new infections with the State capital adding 167 cases and Coimbatore 139, while the remaining were scattered across other districts. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday said the livelihood of about eight lakh workers involved in the firecracker manufacturing industry in the state was at stake and urged his counterparts in Delhi, Odisha, Rajasthan and Haryana to reconsider the blanket ban on sale of crackers. Stating that the blanket ban is “not reasonable”, the Chief Minister said the sale of crackers falling within the norms set by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal may be permitted in their respective states.

Putting on a brave face and brushing aside the drubbing in the rural civic polls, the main opposition AIADMK on Friday vowed to continue its work towards capturing power again, asserting that this is the party’s message for the year long (2021-22) golden jubilee celebrations. Outlining the initiatives to commemorate the jubilee through the year, AIADMK top leaders O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami said that their party is for all sections of the people, which held the reins of power for over 30 years in Tamil Nadu.

The party transcended “politics of caste and religion and dynasty politics,” they said and listed several initiatives including the nutritious meal programme, Amma canteen and 69 per cent reservation to ensure social justice as achievements when the AIADMK was in power.

A history-sheeter, wanted in the murder of a youth as well, was killed in Tuticorin on Friday when police opened fire as he allegedly assaulted police personnel with a machete and tried to escape. The ‘encounter’ happened when the accused person, V Duraimurugan assaulted policemen who cornered him in the Muthiahpuram Pottalkadu area near here, police said.

In eight districts including Tuticorin, the 39-year-old Duraimurugan faces serious criminal charges in 35 cases, which includes seven cases of murder, a senior police official said.

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Parts of Chennai will face a power shutdown from 9 am to 4 pm, with supply expected to resume before 4 pm if the work is completed.

Porur Chembarambakkam area: Varatharajapuram, Bangalore Trunk Road, Part of Chembarambakkam, Part of Thirumazhisai, Nazatathpet.

Siruseri: Sipcot, Pudupakkam, Arihant apartment, Vaniyamchavadi, JJ nagar, Muthama nagar, Anand Engineering college and above all surrounding areas.

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Vanakkam Chennai!

Welcome to today’s live blog. We bring to you the latest news on Covid-19, politics, features, entertainment, sports, art and culture from across Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Follow our live blog and @ie_chennai to stay up to date with what’s happening in the state.

Twenty-one days into its intensive search operation, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department tranquilized and captured the elusive tiger, identified as T-23, near Masinagudi forest area on Friday. Speaking to indianexpress.com, state Forest Minister K Ramachandran lauded the tireless efforts of the officials and said steps would be taken to transport the big cat to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park.

“It’s the first time that we have captured a killer tiger alive. Based on the requests of the animal activists and other public, Chief Minister MK Stalin instructed us to make sure that the tiger is tranquilized and captured alive,” the minister said. Read more

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday wrote to his counterparts of four States – Delhi, Odisha, Rajasthan and Haryana – urging them to reconsider their decision on imposing a blanket ban on the sale of firecrackers and to permit the sales that fall within the norms set by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal.

#TN CM #MKStalin writes to his counterparts in Delhi, Odisha, Rajasthan and Haryana, urging them to reconsider their decision on imposing a blanket ban on the sale of firecrackers. He says such a ban would lead to jeopardizing the livelihood of around 8 lakh ppl. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/09xeQkT7Zo

— Janardhan Koushik (@koushiktweets) October 15, 2021

Following a Madras High Court observation last month on medical courses in India reaffirming queer-phobia and a need for changing this, the National Medical Commission recently directed all medical colleges to remove any “unscientific” and “derogatory” remarks about the LGBTQIA+ community.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Department, P K Sekar Babu has said the government decided to reopen temples on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays due to requests from the public and not pressure from other political parties.

‘The future of India lies in its villages’ – the words of Mahatma Gandhi firmly etched in her heart from a young age, R Sharu Kala always believed that she could bring about a change. This pushed her to file the nomination for the post of panchayat president in the recently held rural local body polls in Tamil Nadu.

AIADMK to celebrate party's golden jubilee this year, to rename party HQ name as 'MGR Maaligai'. Golden jubilee to be celebrated with the release of a special logo- twin leaf logo in public places: AIADMK's O Paneer Selvam & Edapadi Palani Sami in a joint statement

— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2021

Following questioning, the CB-CID produced DMK MP TRVS Ramesh in a court the same day it got his custody in a murder case, while counsel for the victim’s family alleged the police wing has a ‘soft corner’ for him. Police sources, however, rejected the allegation saying the case is being handled as per laws.

Tamil Nadu: Vidyarambham, the ritual of initiating children into the world of letters, performed at Ayyappa temple in Chennai on #Vijayadasami

"On the auspicious day of Vijayadasami, children are initiated into the world of letters," says temple secretary pic.twitter.com/BLOn5j0JvH

— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2021

The Tamil Nadu government is set to implement an urban employment scheme that aims to boost job opportunities through the creation and maintenance of public assets. The scheme will be implemented in two zones in the Greater Chennai Corporation, one zone each in 14 municipal corporations, one municipality each in seven regions and one town panchayat each in 37 districts on a pilot basis.

Continuing the downward trend, Tamil Nadu recorded 1,259 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday with 10 districts logging less than 10 infections. The fresh cases pushed the overall tally in the state to 26.83 lakh while 20 people succumbed to the virus, mounting the toll to 35,853, a medical bulletin said said. The state had clocked 1,280 cases on Wednesday.

Vanakkam Chennai! 

Welcome to today’s live blog. We bring to you the latest news on Covid-19, politics, features, entertainment, sports, art and culture from across Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Follow our live blog and @ie_chennai to stay up to date with what’s happening in the state.

A video of a teacher brutally assaulting a boy inside a government school classroom in front of his classmates in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district on Wednesday has gone viral on social media. 

The student was made to kneel and the teacher held his hair and continuously beat him up with a stick. Despite the student's repeated pleas that he would not repeat the mistake, the teacher went on lashing and kicking him.

Taking cognisance of the incident, Cuddalore district collector K Balasubramaniam told indianexpress.com that he had ordered a probe into the incident, and depending on the outcome of the inquiry, action will be taken. 

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Tamil Nadu Government on Thursday issued an order allowing the places of worship to be kept open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The decision comes at the backdrop of a PIL petition filed at the Madras High Court seeking directions to keep the temples in the state open on the auspicious Vijayadasami day.  Hearing the plea, the vacation bench of Justices R Mahadevan and Abdul Quddhose said they leave it open to the government to decide upon that.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin held a meeting with health experts and other higher officials on Wednesday at the secretariat on the preventive measures to be taken to stem the spread of the pandemic virus.

In a statement on Thursday, Stalin said as people need to visit the shops for buying essential requirements in the festival season, all the shops and the hotels will be kept open till 11 pm.  Tuition centres, government and private employment camps also allowed to function.

From November 1, private exhibitions are allowed following Covid-19 guidelines.  Playschools, Kindergarten schools, Anganwadi centres allowed to operate fully. Guardian, cook, and others had to be double vaccinated.

The public can now visit beaches on Sunday as well. 

The Tamil Nadu Transport Minister RS Raja Kannappan Wednesday said that strict action will be taken against Omni bus operators if they hike up the bus fares during the Navaratri festival season. 

A 34-year-old woman and her seven-year-old daughter died on Tuesday after consuming chicken curry bought from a nearby hotel and a local soft drink. The deceased have been identified as Karpakavalli and her daughter Dharshini. The incident happened at Kovilpatti town in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. Police are suspecting it to be a case of suicide. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kovilpatti, M Uthayasooriyan, said the woman could have mixed pesticide with food.

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Wednesday greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadasami, being celebrated tomorrow and the day after, respectively, as part of the Navaratri festival. Celebrated with traditional fervour and zeal, Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadasami symbolize the victory of good over evil and celebration of the annihilation of demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga, he said in a Raj Bhavan statement.

"This festival is a celebration of the triumph of truth over untruth. It inspires us to live by the eternal values of honesty, compassion, harmony and truthfulness. The life of Lord Rama is a monumental embodiment of these eternal values," he said.

AIADMK top leaders-- O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami--also greeted the people on the occasion. (PTI)

Sixteen women and one man were attacked by a swarm of bees while clearing bushes in a village near Erode on Wednesday, police said. According to the police, the 17 engaged in cleaning the spot at Navanaickkenpalayam village accidentally disturbed a hive and the swarm attacked them. They had to be hospitalised, the police said. (PTI)

Tamil Nadu's School Education Department announced that Saturday (October 16) will be a holiday for all schools in the State. The decision  was taken after several representations from teachers’ associations, asked for a holiday to be declared. The holiday on Saturday is in addition to the government holidays that have already been declared today (October 14) and tomorrow (October 15).

Tamil Nadu declares school holiday on October 16.

Follow this space for the latest updates from #Chennai and #TamilNadu: https://t.co/sDBJWlh4Ji pic.twitter.com/OfpyBueDxp

— Express Chennai (@ie_chennai) October 14, 2021

Chennai City Police Commissioner Shankar Jiwal on Wednesday gifted a new bicycle to a police head constable whose vehicle was damaged in an accident in which he suffered a fracture. Jiwal visited the injured M Senthilkumar at his residence and enquired about his health, a police press release here said.

On Tuesday, Senthilkumar fractured his collar bone from a fall after his cycle was hit from the rear by a motorcycle. Attached with the E-3 Teynampet Police Station in the city, Senthilkumar would do his patrolling with a bicycle. Knowing this, Jiwal gifted the new bicycle to the injured policeman and wished him a speedy recovery, the release said. (PTI)

The cybercrime wing of the central crime branch (CCB) on Tuesday arrested a man for allegedly cheating people through online gambling, including betting on cricket matches. The cops have seized assets including a car, cash worth Rs 24.68 lakh, 193 gram gold, 6 kg silver, 10 cell phones, a laptop and an iPad from the accused.

The accused, identified as Hari Krishnan, is a resident of Kilpauk and he was hiding in a hotel near Mahabalipuram. The police said he had cheated at least 30 people. According to the police, Vignesh, a resident of Choolaimedu in Chennai, had complained to the cyber police claiming that he had been duped of Rs 87 lakh in online betting.

???????????? ????? ?????????? ????????! pic.twitter.com/mlDT6zT1FT

— Janardhan Koushik (@koushiktweets) October 13, 2021

The death of 57-year-old Govindarasu, a daily-wage labourer at a cashew processing unit owned by DMK MP TRVS Ramesh, came at the end of at least two rounds of torture on September 19, police sources said.

Tamil Nadu on Wednesday reported 1,280 new Covid-19 infections, and 19 deaths, pushing the caseload to 26,82,137. Recoveries outnumbered new cases with 1,453 people discharged in the last 24 hours, aggregating to 26,30,654, leaving 15,650 active infections. The fresh cases included a returnee from the United Arab Emirates. Chennai and Coimbatore accounted for the majority of new infections by adding 173 and 145 new cases, respectively, while the remaining was scattered across other districts.

Vanakkam Chennai! 

Welcome to today’s live blog. We bring to you the latest news on Covid-19, politics, features, entertainment, sports, art and culture from across Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Follow our live blog and @ie_chennai to stay up to date with what’s happening in the state.