The convener of Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Tamil Nadu unit has been arrested for threatening to kill Tamil Nadu’s government officials during the ongoing protests against Salem –Chennai expressway project, The Hindu has reported.
As detailed in a PTI report, the 277 KM long, eight lane expressway project will connect the cities of Salem and Chennai. It is being opposed by some farmers whose lands would need to be acquired. They have as a result also found supporters from some activists and politicians.
One such supporter was actor Mansoor Ali Khan. As per a New Minute report, the actor was arrested on 17 June after he commented that if the eight lane expressway project was implemented, he would kill eight people and go to jail.
AAP’s convener S.A.N. Vasigaran decided to come to the support of Khan and took things to the next level by saying that, “not just 8 people – we’re ever ready to kill 16 people“. This statement was made while he was speaking to the media. As per a Hindu report, the threat was given to government officials responsible for the project.
Possibly after realising that he made a mistake, he claimed that there was nothing wrong in his statement.
The police didn’t think so and following the shocking statement, the cops determined that Vasigaran had disturbed the state’s peaceful atmosphere and instigated the locals to violently protest against the planned expressway. The police also asserted that he posed a serious threat to the government officials involved in the project.
As a result of this, a case was filed against the AAP leader by village administrative official, and he was booked under charges like criminal intimidation, threats of injury to public servants, giving provocation with intent to riots.
Thus the police took action and he was arrested from his residence in Chennai on Wednesday. He was later produced before a magistrate in Vazhappadi, following which he was sent to a 15 days police custody.