Tamil Nadu Coronavirus June 26, 27 Highlights: R T Arasu, the DMK MLA from Cheyyur has tested positive for COVID-19. He is the third legislator from DMK after the late J Anbazhagan and Vasantham K Karthikeyan to contract the infection and the fifth in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu on Friday reported 3,645 new novel coronavirus cases, taking the stateâs total to 74,622. A total of 1,956 cases were reported in Chennai, taking the tally to 49,690. Forty-six deaths were reported over the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 957. Of the deceased cases, 44 persons had comorbidities.
In other news, Tamil Nadu is witnessing outrage and protests over the alleged custodial torture of P Jeyaraj, 62, and his son J Bennix, 32, in Sathankulam town near Thoothukudi.
A retired Madras High Court judge Saturday called for the dismissal of the Sathankulam magistrate following the incident. “Sathankulam Magistrate should be dismissed from service for Judicial impropriety, violation of SC guidelines in remand process and for the clear case of misconduct,” Justice K Chandru said.
READ | DMK MP Kanimozhi writes to NHRC over âcustodial deathâ of shopkeeper, son
Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi has written a letter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) urging them to investigate and initiate necessary action against the officials responsible for the death of the two persons.
Following the custodial deaths of Jayaraj (62) and Bennicks (32) in Sathankulam town in Thoothukudi district, district SP Arun Balagopalan has been brought to compulsory wait at DGP office. S.Jeyakumar (Villupuram SP) to take charge as Thoothukudi SP immediately. Following the retirement of KP Shanmuga Rajeshwaran, S.Murugan (IG, Economic Offences Wing) has been appointed as South Zone IG.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami condoled the death of Velmurugan, a senior cameraman who got infected with COVID-19 a few weeks ago and announced a solatium of Rs. 5 lakh to his kin. Observing that journalists act like a bridge connecting the people and the government, EPS urged journalists in the state to be safe while gathering news.
Royapuram in Chennai continues to have the highest number of cases among the 15 zones in the city with 7211 cases recorded till date.
Here are the top 10 zones in Chennai
Sathankulam Judicial Magistrate B Saravanan should be dismissed from service for judicial impropriety, violation of Supreme Court guidelines on arrest, and for the clear case of misconduct, said K Chandru, retired judge of the Madras High Court. He was referring to the alleged custodial deaths of a father and son at Sathankulam, near Thoothukudi, earlier this week.
After the first watch dog “police” had abused their power, Justice Chandru said, the magistrate too was defeating the judicial system by not following SC guidelines of arrest. The magistrate of Sathankulam cannot wash off his hands saying there were no complaints from the accused when they were produced, he added.
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Deputy Chief Minister O.Pannerselvam, DMK leader MK Stalin and other political leaders condoled the death of Velmurugan, a senior cameraman who got infected with COVID-19 a few weeks ago. Velmurugan had worked on various television channels in the past 20 years. Tamil Nadu Press Club has announced an ex-gratia payment of 50,000 rupees to the family of the veteran journalist.
Tamil Nadu on Friday reported 3,645 new novel coronavirus cases, taking the state’s total to 74,622. A total of 1,956 cases were reported in Chennai, taking the tally to 49,690. As far as other districts are concerned, Chengalpattu (232), Madurai (190), Thiruvallur (177), Vellore (148) and Kancheepuram (90) reported the maximum number of COVID-19 cases.
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R T Arasu, the DMK MLA from Cheyyur has tested positive for COVID-19. He is the third legislator from DMK after the late J Anbazhagan and Vasantham K Karthikeyan to contract the infection.
The family members of the father and son who died of alleged custodial torture in Sathankulam town near Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu describe two days of trying desperately to meet them, and finding them in blood-soaked clothes.
A senior police officer, who is aware of the initial probe and did not want to be quoted, said the two were kept at the hospital for about two hours to stabilise them and to reduce the bleeding. “They were given some medicine. They changed half-a-dozen times as their clothes kept getting soaked with blood, especially Bennix’s. Around 11.30-11.45 am, they were taken to the magistrate for remand,” the officer said.
On Sunday, June 21, the family said, they got no word from the two. A family member’s attempts to meet them failed, with the prison authorities citing Covid-19 fears to deny the request, including on Monday. The same evening, Jeyaraj’s wife received a call saying Bennix’s blood pressure was critically low. Later, another call told the family to come immediately to the jail hospital. Bennix died on Monday night, followed by Jeyaraj a few hours later.
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A total of 55 flights are expected to fly between Chennai and major cities today. There will be 27 arrivals and 28 departures at the Chennai International Airport.
The Tamil Nadu government Friday approved the installation of CCTV cameras inside 3,000 Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) outlets across Tamil Nadu. In a circular, the government said the two cameras each with video management software will be installed inside each TASMAC retail vending store.
CCTV cameras will be installed only in stores that have had high sales in the district, a theft or a major law and order problem or in stores that are located in remote areas with high sales.
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Good morning!
Welcome to the live blog from Chennai where we bring to you the latest updates on COVID-19, lockdown in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram and Madurai, unlock phase 1 and more across Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Follow the blog to stay up to date with the state in real time.
Tamil Nadu on Friday reported 3,645 new novel coronavirus cases, taking the state’s total to 74,622. The total cases include144 returnees from other countries and states. Forty-six deaths were reported over the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 957. Of the deceased cases, 44 persons had comorbidities.
A total of 1,956 cases were reported in Chennai, taking the tally to 49,690. As far as other districts are concerned, Chengalpattu (232), Madurai (190), Thiruvallur (177), Vellore (148) and Kancheepuram (90) reported the maximum number of COVID-19 cases.
As many as 1,358 persons were discharged following treatment and there are still 32,305 active cases in the state.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, while addressing a press conference today said that the Tamil Nadu government is working hard to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state. "The government is following all the guidelines which were laid down by the Centre to prevent the spread of the pandemic", he said.
EPS added that a total of 39,999 people in the state have recovered from the virus after undergoing treatment at various COVID care hospitals and centres across Tamil Nadu.
Around 1005 police personnel who were deployed on COVID duty in Chennai have been affected by the virus till date. Out of these, 410 personnel have been discharged following treatment and have rejoined the force.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy Friday said a decision on the extension of lockdown will be taken after discussing with the state constituted medical experts committee on Monday. Speaking to the reporters in Trichy today, CM Palanisami said due to the proactive measures by the Tamil Nadu government, the mortality rate is low in the state. He also added that there is no need to convene an all-party meeting for medical issues.
DMK MP Kanimozhi has written a letter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) urging them to investigate and initiate necessary action against the officials responsible for the custodial death of two persons in Thoothukudi. The deceased were identified as Jayaraj (59) and his son Fenix Emmanuel (31).
In her letter, Kanimozhi said the incident is a collective failure of police and other officials and a gross violation of human rights.
“It is alleged that while police were assaulting Mr. Jayaraj and Mr. Bennicks in the guise of investigation, the police officials had inserted a baton into the anus of Mr.Bennicks that had triggered uncontrolled bleeding and further the police officials had beaten Mr.Jayaraj and had kicked him on his chest multiple times with their shoes,” Kanimozhi wrote.
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DMK has announced a solatium of 25 lakh rupees to the family of the father-son duo who were killed in Sathankulam in Thoothukudi in police custody. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had earlier announced a solatium of Rs. 10 lakh to the families of the father and son.
Royapuram in Chennai continues to have the highest number of cases among the 15 zones in the city with 6951 cases recorded till date.
Here are the top 10 zones in Chennai
Besides Chennai, 191 cases were reported in Chengalpattu, 98 in Kancheepuram, 170 in Thiruvallur, 10 each in Ariyalur and Nagapattinam, 29 in Coimbatore, 21 in Cuddalore, 15 in Dindigul, five each in Erode and Thiruvarur, 25 each in Kallakurichi and Sivagangai, 53 in Kanyakumari, three in Karur, 204 in Madurai, two in Nilgiris, eight in Perambalur, 140 in Ramanathapuram, 20 in Ranipet, 89 in Salem, 12 in Tenkasi, 22 in Thanjavur, 72 in Theni, 18 in Thirupathur, 55 in Thiruvannamalai, 24 in Thoothukudi, 11 in Tirunelveli, seven in Tiruppur, 27 in Trichy, 172 in Vellore, 40 in Villupuram, 28 in Virudhunagar and one each in Dharmapuri, Namakkal and Pudukottai districts.
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A total of 55 flights will fly between Chennai and major cities today. There will be 27 arrivals and 28 departures at the Chennai International Airport today.
Good morning!
Welcome to the live blog from Chennai where we bring to you the latest updates on COVID-19, lockdown in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpet and Kancheepuram, unlock phase 1 and more across Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Follow the blog to stay up to date with the state in real time.