Jayalalithaa in hospital: No police for citizens as cops fortify Apollo

CHENNAI: When Mahaveerchand Dhoka of T Nagar approached a police station to file a complaint of cheating, the official on duty told him he was helpless as most of the personnel were on bandobust duty at the Apollo Hospitals where chief minister J Jayalalithaa is undergoing treatment. After running from pillar to post, Dhoka approached the city police commissioner's office and submitted his complaint.

Like Dhoka, 80-year-old Jayanthi Harvey of Anna Nagar East had a harrowing time getting the Anna Nagar police to pursue her complaint of house burglary."We gave the suspect's name and details. I tried to meet senior police officers, but was told that they were busy at Apollo Hospitals."

Across the city, complainants say they are not able to either register their grievances or meet senior officials as most of them are on duty near the hospital. All deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) have been instructed to be present at vantage points near the hospital.

68-year-old Jayalalithaa was admitted to the Apollo hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration.

A specialist from London besides three-member team of doctors from AIIMS, Delhi, had also examined Jayalalithaa, who is being treated for infection with respiratory support.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu cabinet met on Wednesday under the leadership of finance minister O Panneerselvam in the absence of chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

The meeting of the 32-member cabinet (excluding the chief minister) lasted one hour. "The meeting started at 9.30am and ended at 10.30am. Panneerselvam with a big picture of Jayalalithaa in front of him chaired the meeting," said a secretariat official. Panneerselvam is holding the portfolios of the chief minister.

Last week, the Tamil Nadu governor had allotted the portfolios held by Jayalalithaa including home and police, to Panneerselvam, till she could resume official duties.

The Raj Bhavan had then, in a release, said Paneerselvam, who holds the administrative reforms portfolio, in addition to finance, "will also preside over cabinet meetings."

(With inputs from agencies)