Jaya, Ramadoss criticise car burning incident

Condemning the burning of CPI state unit secretary D Pandian's car by unidentified persons AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa said it only pointed to the breakdown of law and order in the state.

In a statement here, Jayalalithaa, who recently aligned with the CPI to face the Lok Sabha polls, alleged that there was no safety for political leaders and party cadres.

She said she had been constantly raising the issue of breakdown in law and order and hoped such incidents did not recur. "Fortunately, Pandian was not at home when the incident happened. I strongly condemn this unwanted incident," she said.

Meanwhile, PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss, in a statement alleged that the incident was indicative of the "growing incidence of violence" in Tamil Nadu.

"Leaders who floated the Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Movement have been receiving threats. It has been pointed out to the government that anti-Tamil forces close to the Sri Lankan government could harm Tamil leaders in the state and protection has been sought for them. But the government has not responded, resulting in today's incident," he alleged.

He also called for measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.