Mixed response to the bandh called by the party

A Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) worker sustained serious burns after he came in contact with a high-tension wire during a rail roko at the Tindivanam Railway Station on Wednesday.

The name of the victim was given as Ranjith Kumar, PMK Tindivanam Deputy youth wing secretary, hailing from Ayyanthoppu. He was admitted to the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer).

The Villupuram unit of PMK had organised rail roko agitations across the district to protest against the Centre’s failure to constitute the Cauvery Management Board as directed by the Supreme Court. The bandh evoked a mixed response across the district and in Puducherry.

When the Chennai-Guruvayur Express train entered the station, two party men, including Mr. Ranjith Kumar, boarded the unreserved compartment next to the engine and climbed atop the coach.

The two were raising slogans and walking on the engine when Mr. Ranjith Kumar came in contact with the high-tension wire.

In the impact, he was thrown on to the platform. He was immediately shifted to the Tindivanam Government Hospital and referred to Jipmer.

The police have launched a search for the party worker who accompanied Mr. Ranjith Kumar and climbed atop the engine.

Jipmer sources said the patient, who had suffered 75% burns, was later taken by party workers to a hospital in Chennai.

Buses damaged

Meanwhile, four government buses were damaged during the protests at Pennagaram on Wednesday. At Palacode, over 250 PMK cadre blocked the Bengaluru to Karaikal passenger express. Rail blockade was also reported in Dharmapuri, Palacode Morappur and Bommidi railway stations.