The Kodanadu issue took yet another dramatic turn today when an AIADMK cadre, imprisoned for taking part in the state-wide agitation to protest the DMK Government’s alleged ‘harassment’ of party leader J Jayalalithaa, died of heart attack in the Salem prison this morning.Alleging negligence by the prison authorities, Jayalalithaa said M Sukumar, a 52-year-old former panchayat chief and MGR fan club deputy secretary, was among the 12,000-odd partymen detained for the June 7 demonstrations. He had developed chest pain on Friday night itself. But despite an AIADMK cadre seeking medical assistance for Sukumar, it was not provided, leading to his death, she said. The AIADMK workers, detained in prisons across the state, were treated in an ‘inhuman’ manner and not provided even basic amenities like drinking water and food, she said, announcing a solatium of Rs 50,000 to Sukumar’s family.Meanwhile, the state Government has ordered the release of all AIADMK party members except 28 people arrested on charges of attempt to murdering an inspector in Villupuram district. The Inspector sustained burn injuries when he tried to put out a fire on a bundle of Murasoli, the DMK organ.On June 7, AIADMK volunteers staged demonstration, blocking roads and setting fire to copies of Murasoli to protest Chief Minister M Karunanidhi allegations against Jayalalithaa with regard to holdings in the Kodanadu Tea Estate in Nilgiris district and certain remarks by him in the DMK organ. Karunanidhi said Jayalalithaa and her friend Sasikala owned large acres of the tea estate despite her denials in this regard.
