Did Palaniswami Accuse the DMK Government Over Thoothukudi College Blast?

Chennai, Aug 13 (NationPress) AIADMK general secretary and Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly Edappadi K. Palaniswami voiced his alarm concerning the explosion of what he termed a “country-made bomb” purportedly introduced by students at the Government Polytechnic College in Thoothukudi.

He accused the DMK administration of overseeing a worsening law and order scenario and urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to “come out of his denial zone” and address the pressing issues surrounding public safety.

The explosion took place on Tuesday during lunch hours when two first-year Diploma (Mechanical) students -- M. Mathavan (16) of P&T Colony and M. Murali Karthick (16) of Indra Nagar, Thoothukudi -- reportedly ignited firecrackers within their classroom.

Sources indicate that the firecrackers used were of a type typically employed for fishing in ponds. Mathavan incurred serious injuries to his right hand, while Murali was injured in his right eye. Both were taken to the Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital for treatment.

While Palaniswami suggested that the explosion involved a “country-made bomb”, Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police Albert John clarified that it was merely firecrackers that caused the blast.

He urged the public to refrain from disseminating false or misleading narratives about the occurrence.

In a strongly articulated social media post, the AIADMK leader drew comparisons to recent violent occurrences among students.

“From knife fights among school children to machetes in school bags, and now a bomb explosion in a government college -- this is the grim reality in Tamil Nadu today,” he asserted.

Palaniswami compared the current climate to the “educationally progressive” reputation of the state during the previous AIADMK government, claiming it is now “drifting under the so-called Stalin-model governance.”

Palaniswami condemned what he alleged was the DMK government’s inclination to minimize such events as “personal issues”, labeling it disgraceful.

“The presence of lethal weapons in an educational facility signifies a breakdown in governance. Why is there reluctance when the public raises questions?” he queried, blaming the Chief Minister for remaining silent on pressing inquiries regarding law and order.

The AIADMK leader called for the state to ensure immediate medical assistance for the injured students and to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the explosion.

He also demanded stringent legal repercussions for those accountable and measures to avert such incidents in the future.

“It is time to reclaim the state from a regime that has permitted weapons and explosives to infiltrate our institutions,” Palaniswami warned, indicating that public trust in the government's competence to maintain safety is swiftly diminishing.