AIADMK MLAs injured in Coimbatore mishap

Two AIADMK MLAs were injured today when they fell from a bullock cart, in which they were coming to the venue of a protest demonstration by the party in Coimbatore against the hike in petrol and diesel prices.

T Malaravan, the city mla, and Prema, another MLA, representing Avanashi in the district, were leading a five bullock cart procession near Red Cross Building, where the demonstration was going on.

As the cart neared the venue, one of the party workers loosened the rope tied to the cart and bullock, so as to stop the cart and help MLAs get down. However, the cart tilted and both the MLAs fell down.

While Malaravan, with head and chest injuries, was admitted to the ICU in a nearby private hosital, Prema, with minor injuries, was treated as outpatient, hospital sources said.

Party workers held the demonstration, criticising the UPA government for its "failure to rein in spiralling prices" and also condemned the petrol price hike.