TMC, INL see political conspiracy

By Radha Venkatesan

CHENNAI, AUG. 27. Alleging a political conspiracy behind the rash of slum fires in various districts in the past three months, the allies of the ruling AIADMK-TMC and INL-today wondered whether the Intelligence department was functioning in the State.

``The department has become ineffective,'' the TMC MLA, Mr. C. Gnanasekaran, alleged in the Assembly.

Asking why the police had not nabbed the ``gang'' responsible for the series of slum fires which erupted in Vellore soon after the AIADMK took charge, he said though a CB-CID inquiry had been ordered, investigation had not begun yet.

Expressing concern at the colonies occupied by the ``minorities'' being targetted by the gang, the INL member, Mr. Abdul Latheef wondered whether the Intelligence department was sending any reports about the ``conspiracy'' to the authorities. ``It appears the minorities were being punished for the manner in which they voted in the recent Assembly election.''

Accusing the police of inaction, the CPI member, Mr. G. Palanichamy, said no case was registered even a fortnight after the fire accidents had occurred.

While the police claim that illicit distillers were torching the slums to divert their attention, the locals say a fire occurred a few hours after they had received telephonic threats. The Government should look into the question whether any inflammable chemical was used for torching the huts, he urged.

Mr. A. Ashokan (DMK) said the people of Tiruvarur were in a state of panic following the fire accidents in the district.

Replying to the special calling attention motion, the Revenue Minister, Mr. O. Panneerselvam, assured the House that the Government would take appropriate steps to prevent recurrence of the fire accidents.

Giving details of the ``mishaps'' in various districts, he said four lives were lost and 288 houses fully destroyed in Nagapattinam district between 1 June and 17 August. According to the police, the fire occurred accidentally when inmates were cooking. However, samples of the damaged articles were sent for forensic analysis to look for the presence of any combustible chemical mixture.

In Cuddalore, three persons were killed in the fire accidents between May 14 and August 23, and the police ruled out any conspiracy. In Vellore, 588 houses were fully destroyed and three killed. The CB-CID registered two cases, while the police filed four cases and investigation was continuing.

Ten persons were arrested in connection with the fire accidents in Tiruvarur, where 59 houses were fully destroyed and 86 partially burnt, the Minister said.

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