AIADMK activists seek probe into party worker's accident

COIMBATORE: Over 500 AIADMK activists blocked the road at Six Corner in Mettupalayam for about two hours on Sunday morning demanding a thorough probe into a road accident case, in which, a 55-year-old Kuppusami, 11th ward member of Jadayampalayam village panchayat, was killed on Saturday evening. Vehicular movement between Coimbatore and Udhagamandalam was thrown out of gear for about two hours.Traffic on the road leading to Sathyamangalam and Tirupur from Mettupalayam had also been affected because of the protest.
It was after the intervention of Coimbatore Rural SP E S Uma and Nilgiris SP Nizamuddin, the protestors were disbursed from the spot. Officials have promised a detailed investigation into the incident.
According to police, Kuppusami was returning from Pallapalayam to his home in Sirumugai on Saturday evening when the accident took place. AIADMK branch secretary and a known figure in the local political scene, Kuppusami was travelling in a two-wheeler, when he was knocked down by a speeding truck. He died on the spot as he was run over by the vehicle. The vehicle driver, Vaikundarajan was arrested late in the night by police and Kuppusami's body was taken to Mettupalayam government general hospital.
On Saturday morning, more than 500 people including his party workers and relatives gathered in front of the hospital and started a demonstration saying it was not a normal road accident but a pre-planned murder. They shouted saying that Kuppusami was facing threat from political rivals, who were jealous about his political growth. The protestors then moved to Six Corner and started blocking normal traffic.
Taking to media persons later, SP Uma said circumstantial evidences point out that it was a road accident case. "We have already arrested the truck driver. Further investigation is on as per the complaints of Kuppusami's wife and family. Allegations would be probed,'' she said.