Two DMK members arrested in Thanjavur over clash with TVK cadres

Published Aug 6, 02:46 PM UTC

On August 6, 2026, Thanjavur East Police arrested two DMK party members—R.K. Neelakandan and Vayalur Karthi—following a complaint by Mahalakshmi, a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) executive committee member. The complaint alleged that on August 4, DMK cadres disrupted a TVK Women's Wing protest condemning a derogatory speech by DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin. DMK supporters reportedly burned an effigy of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, pulled down TVK flags, and threw stones and footwear, injuring several TVK protesters. The complaint also named former Thanjavur Mayor S. Ramanathan and councillor Annaprakash, though only two arrests were made. The incident highlights ongoing political tensions between the DMK and TVK in Tamil Nadu.