Chennai Apr 20 PTI The discord between DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and state Governor over the anti-NEET bill spilled over on Wednesday dividing the political parties over the black flag protest against him over the issue even as RN Ravi air dashed to the national capital presumably to brief the Centre over the latest developments in the state Notwithstanding Chief Minister M K Stalins explanation in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that his government will not compromise on the security being provided to Ravi and his assertion that not even a speck of dust fell on the governor during Tuesdays protest against him in Mayiladuthurai Leader of Opposition K Palaniswami alleged the agitation by fringe elements had the backing of the ruling DMK Speaking to reporters outside the House after leading a walkout of the main opposition AIADMK Palaniswami claimed the attack on the Governors convoy has left a black mark on the reputation of the state police He wondered what would be the fate of the public if there is no security for the Governor himself The incident shows that the law and order in the state has deteriorated he said Disagreeing with the states explanation Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai claimed there has been absolute security lapse during the Governors visit to the district I have posted an unedited video footage of the entire incident in Mayiladuthurai Let the Chief Minister see it and reply he told reporters here He said Ravis convoy had to take a deviation from the main road as the protesters stepped onto the main road raising slogans against him Normally police should ensure the protesters remain off the road and allow the Governors convoy to pass by without problems But in this case the convoy took deviation to avoid the crowd and in the process could have fallen in a ditch the BJP president a former IPS officer said He also disagreed with the police version and said there has been absolute security lapse He demanded stringent action against the protesters especially those who attacked the convoy under sedition charges With the opposition AIADMK and the BJP and ruling DMKs ally Congress flagging the matter in the Assembly Stalin asserted his government would not compromise with the governors safety and insisted that the AIADMKs efforts to do politics over the issue using the Governor would not fructify Explaining about the black flag protest against Ravi Stalin quoting the ADGP LO said there was no truth in the claim that stones and flagpoles were thrown on Ravis convoy during his visit to a mutt in Mayiladuthurai district as claimed by the AIADMK and the BJP Even if the protest was democratic this government has taken due steps for the safety of the governor This government wont make any compromise in ensuring security for the governor the CM said The Leader of Opposition Palaniswami and deputy leader Panneerselvam think they can do politics over the matter using the Governor Let me make it clear-- that will not at all happen because this is DMK government Stalin said and lashed out at the LoP over the Sathankulam custodial deaths and police firing on anti-Sterlite protesters in Tuticorin when he was chief minister As far as this government is concerned let me make one thing clear Police had prevented those who staged the black flag demo and ensured not even a speck of dust fell on the governor Not just that cases have been filed against the agitators and a probe is on This government has a duty to protect those in constitutional positions to ensure their security The police department is diligently doing that the chief minister added Earlier in the day Ravi left for Delhi by a private flight but there was no official word on his itinerary in the national capital Meanwhile TNCC chief K S Alagiri announced that the Congress would stage a picketing agitation in front of the Raj Bhavan here on April 28 demanding the Governor to forward the TN Assembly bill seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET to the President for his assent PTI JSP SA SA

Chennai Mar 26 PTI A research scholar at the IIT Madras here has accused her fellow scholar of sexually assaulting her repeatedly and also harassing her at work place along with his accomplices including two of her professors for nearly four years after she joined the institution in 2016 Apart from the physical and mental trauma she was subjected to by the group of men at the institution and during a trip to Coorg as well the scholar was prevented from using the laboratory equipment to work on her thesis she claimed Police have also filed a case in the matter naming eight persons in the FIR Alarmed at the unpleasant turn of events during her academic pursuit she had remained silent initially but later overcoming her shock she summoned courage to complain to the internal Complaints Committee against Sexual Harassment CCASH which in its interim recommendation sought to restrain her three fellow scholars including the main accused - against whom she levelled her accusations - from entering the campus till she completed her work with respect to her PhD and submits her thesis Further the guides should ensure that the respondents do not submit their thesis until the scholar victim submits the committee said while postponing further investigation until she submitted her thesis Taking exception to the leniency meted out to the men who allegedly sexually physically and mentally harassed her the All India Democratic Womens Association AIDWA Tamil Nadu president S Valentina and general secretary P Suganthi who took up the girls case have sought justice to the victim and stringent action against the perpetrators The leaders claimed that the CCASH enquired and gave an interim order on October 10 2020 based on the scholars complaint on July 17 2020 They said the victim was a member of the Scheduled Castes community The full process does not seem to have been completed The police filed a FIR arranged for her deposition before a magistrate and had issued summons to the accused by mail Valentina and Suganthi said They requested the CCASH not to stop with the investigation with the interim report but proceed in a detailed manner and complete it to render justice to the victim The interim recommendation was given based on an online deposition The victim informed that the main culprit forcefully captured her photos in an objectionable manner but there was no investigation on finding the pictures despite several requests from the victim they said Hence to complete the investigation the committee should conduct the process in person as this is a serious criminal offence which can be a threat to the victim for the rest of her life the leaders added Shockingly the main accused is continuously present in the online meetings carrying out his work without any hindrance and this puts the victim in a real trauma they alleged and expressed concern that the accused may submit the synopsis and subsequent thesis and get away from the disciplinary action of IIT Madras Based on her complaint the CCASH found that her fellow scholar abused her verbally physically twice - once in the lab and during the Coorg trip prevented her from using the instruments in the lab and even reprimanded her for using chemicals He made her feel uncomfortable in the lab in the presence of co-guide who failed to warn him when the girl complained Another professor joined hands with the main accused to ensure that she does not get slot time on the instruments the CCASH found during the Google meet enquiry held on nine occasions from July 29 2020 to September 1 2020 It also found that her three fellow scholars and a professor indulged in describing the girl in a vulgar manner Besides they indulged in substance abuse it said A case was been filed by the Mylapore All Women Police in June last year following the National Commission for Womens intervention Cases were registered against eight persons The culprits have not been arrested so far Sugandhi told reporters here and demanded the probe to be transferred to the Crime Branch CID for thorough investigation and appropriate action There was no immediate response from IIT Madras on the research scholars allegation PTI JSP SA SA

Chennai Nov 17 PTI Tamil Nadu Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian on Wednesday inaugurated a mobile Siddha medical camp here for the benefit of the people to address the monsoon illness and dengue related casesAs many as 1560 Indian medicine treatment centres have been established throughout the state as a precaution to prevent the spread of contagious diseases and viral infection Siddha preparation including Kabasura Nilavembu concoction will be distributed to the people to safeguard them from infectious diseasesAccording to the Minister about 50 mobile medical camps have been organised for the benefit of the people in Chennai and these vehicles would visit all the 200 wards PTI JSP SA SA