AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), has strongly condemned the alleged murder of party functionary and environmental activist K Jagaber Ali. Ali was fatally struck by a lorry on Friday near Tirumayam in Pudukkottai district, raising suspicions of foul play.Palaniswami accused the ruling DMK government of shielding the mining mafia, which is suspected to be behind the incident. He criticized the authorities for arresting only the lorry driver and a few others while allowing the key figures behind the illegal activities to go free.
“Why has this government allowed the mining mafia, believed to be behind Ali’s murder, to go scot-free? Is it trying to divert attention from the case by arresting just the lorry driver and a few others?” questioned EPS. He further alleged that the authorities were tipping off the mafia instead of taking stringent action, creating a dangerous precedent.
Ali, a resident of Venkalur, was killed while returning from the mosque on Friday afternoon. His wife, Mariyam, filed a police complaint, alleging that her husband’s death was not an accident but a deliberate act orchestrated by granite quarry operators from Thulaiyanur. Ali had reportedly filed complaints and approached the courts against illegal quarrying activities in the area.
Palaniswami demanded an impartial investigation into the case, emphasizing the need for justice and action against the perpetrators of illegal mining and violence against activists. The incident has sparked outrage among activists and the opposition, with calls for stricter measures against illegal mining operations in Tamil Nadu.