NTK protest over assault on pregnant candidate; 225 held

Trichy: Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) cadres staged a protest near Thanjavur on Saturday demanding the immediate arrest of DMK workers allegedly involved in the assault on their Papanasam candidate, S Anis Fathima. Police detained 225 protesters, including 19 women.The cadres staged a road blockade near the Ammapettai police station, pressing for swift action against those accused of attacking the 25-year-old, who is eight months pregnant. Police said a case had already been registered based on her complaint and sought time to arrest the accused, but the protesters refused to disperse. They later attempted to block the Thanjavur–Nagapattinam National Highway, following which they were detained. Anis Fathima was allegedly assaulted on polling day on April 23 while visiting polling stations in the constituency. At a booth in Ukkadai village near Ammapettai, she objected to some individuals reportedly wearing badges with the ladder symbol of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), an ally of the DMK. She pointed out that NTK workers had been barred from wearing party scarves while others displayed symbols, leading to an altercation. During the scuffle, she was allegedly manhandled and pushed to the ground. She fainted and was rushed to Thanjavur Government Raja Mirasudar Hospital. NTK chief coordinator Seeman condemned the incident as a "shameful act" against a pregnant woman and demanded immediate arrests, urging the Election Commission to take strict action.