DMK, AIADMK cadre clash

SALEM: Tension prevailed in Chinnakondalampatti on Thursday after DMK cadre allegedly attacked AIADMK supporters over a defamatory campaign.The DMK has fielded K Suresh Kumar, nephew of DMK leader Veerapandi Arumugam, and a prime accused in the murder of six persons. He is also a co-accused, along with the minister, in several land grab cases.The 17th ward of this panchayat is considered  sensitive, given that Suresh Kumar will be pitted against AIADMK candidate, A Manikandan, who is a lawyer representing one among the six slain in the Dasanikenpatti murder. Manikandan allegedly distributed newspaper clips on the murder case and others against Suresh Kumar.Led by Suresh Kumar’s elder brother, K Kumar the DMK men threatened Manikandan of dire consequences if the ‘defamatory’ campaign continued. They also attacked the AIADMK supporters. Around 100 police personnel from Kondalampatti rushed to the spot. Cases were booked against 100 DMK menRaja, a DMK functionary filed a complaint against Manikandan, charging him with violating the election code.