Setu row: BJP leader's house attacked

MADURAI: The houses of BJP's Tamil Nadu unit President H Raja and his father-in-law were attacked allegedly by DMK workers at Karaikudi in neighbouring Sivaganga District late on Saturday night protesting the reported 'fatwa' issued by former BJP MP Ramvilas Vedanti against Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for his anti-Ram remarks.

A group of BJP men retaliated and pelted stones at the houses of some DMK workers in the town, police said.

They said the window panes and some vehicles parked in the house of Raja were damaged in the attack that took place around midnight on Saturday.

The miscreants also damaged the flag posts of the BJP.

Police said some DMK and BJP workers had been taken into custody in connection with the incidents.

Raja alleged Karaikudi Municipal Chairman Muthuthurai of DMK and the fishermen wing functionary of the party Narayanan were among those who indulged in the attack.

The assailants also threatened to hurl petrol bomb and kill him, Raja claimed.

Taking strong exception to the reported "fatwa" by a Vedanti for beheading Karunanidhi for his anti-Ram remarks, senior DMK leader and state Minister Arcot N Veerasamy on Saturday said he would hold a black flag demonstration in front of BJP offices in the state if Vedanti did not withdraw his remarks.

Police said a group of six to seven persons attacked Raja's house by pelting stones and bottles and damaged vehicles and window panes. Some of them also used clubs.

Later, they went to the house of his father-in-law located nearby and pelted stones there also, causing damage to window panes, police added.