QChennai: Over 600 Fishermen Still Missing After Ockhi & More

Here is your roundup of the top stories from Chennai.

Fishermen have alleged inaction on the government’s part in rescuing fellow fishermen who went missing during Cyclone Ockhi.

(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

1. Protests Persist as over 600 Fishermen yet to Be Traced

A man looks at one of the many roads damaged by Cyclone Ockhi.(Photo: PTI)

The whereabouts of as many as 623 fishermen from Kanyakumari district, who got caught in Cyclone Ockhi, were yet to be traced, said Collector Sajjan Singh R Chavan. His comments came even as fisherfolk in the coastal district continued to protest, demanding that the government expedite its efforts to locate and bring the missing fishermen to safety.

Currently, 117 fishermen are on safe shores in States such as Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Islands. Two fishermen have officially been declared dead so far. Besides, six fishermen, who had sustained injuries, have been provided solatium of Rs 50,000 each.

(Source: The Hindu)

2. Dhasvanth Admits to Killing His Mother

File image of accused Dhasvanth. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

City police on Sunday claimed that the man who allegedly raped and killed a seven-year-old girl in Mugalivakkam in February confessed to having murdered his mother on 2 December for her gold jewellery. Police also claimed that he was planning to kill his father as he had refused to give him money.

Daswant was living with his parents, Sekar and Sarala, in Kundrathur after being released on bail in the case of rape and murder of Mugalivakkam girl. Police said he used to pester his parents for money to meet his expenses for drinking, betting and racing.

(Source: The Hindu)

3. Producers Council Members Accuse Vishal of Corruption, Actor Asks for Proof

On Tuesday, RO rejected actor Vishal’s nomination papers on the grounds that he did not fulfil the conditions, with only 8 valid proposers backing his candidature.(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Actor Vishal)

After his nomination papers for the RK Nagar bye-poll were rejected earlier this week, the president of the TN Producers’ Council faced allegations of corruption on Sunday by several members of the council.

Actor and AIADMK member JK Rithesh said, “Radhakrishnan, who earlier held working posts in the producer’s council, told us that when he was part of the team, the council had Rs 7 crore. Now, the council only has Rs 2 crore – so where is the rest of the money?” Addressing the media after the meeting, Vishal denied corruption allegations and claimed that during the meeting, some people tried to hit him.

(Source: The News Minute)

4. 62 Vehicles Seized in RK Nagar

Since the demise of chief minister Jayalalithaa last year, the RK Nagar seat has been lying vacant. In April, bypolls were to be conducted but were cancelled after exchange of cash for votes was reported.(Photo: Rhythum Seth/The Quint)

Even as officials of the Election Commission are keeping a strict vigil in Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly constituency where a by-poll is scheduled on 21 December, as many as 62 vehicles plying without permission in the constituency were seized till Sunday evening.

The seized vehicles belonged to supporters of various political parties and persons supporting Independent candidates. Most of the vehicles seized within Tondiarpet, New Washermenpet, Korukkupet, Kasimedu and Fishing Harbour police station limits have number plates indicating that they are from the southern districts of the State.

(Source: The Hindu)

5. Chilling DéJà vu Shows System's Weakness

Often we read that a rapist has been arrested but in a month or so he is out on bail. So with so many killers and rapists on the loose, how safe are we?(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/ @TuslidasBhoite)

In January 2011, a 20-year-old girl returning from college was waylaid, raped and killed in Uthangarai, . After a long search, her kin found her body, with the head smashed with a heavy stone.

A serial rapist-cum-murderer had been identified and put behind bars. As the investigating officers evidently rested on their laurels, the wheels of justice were grinding slowly. A magistrate can order an accused to be kept in custody for a maximum period of 60 days in ordinary cases and up to 90 days if the offence attracts 10 years of imprisonment or more severe penalty. If the investigation is not completed within this ceiling, the accused person shall be released on bail. This is after all not the story of one. He could well be out on bail pending disposal of appeals. The frightening thought is that there could be many Govindans on the prowl.

(Source: The Hindu)

6. A Vegan Feast at Eco-Friendly Wedding

The couple Sumeeth and Sangeetha tied the knot in a unique manner, avoiding everything with milk in it.(Photo Courtesy: iStock)

It was like any other wedding with relatives coming in large numbers to bless the couple and priests chanting mantras. The thing that took the guests by surprise was the food: it was entirely vegan since the bride and groom — Sumeeth Sasikanth and Sangeetha Thanappan — are vegans and wanted to share their joy with others. No ghee, milk, honey, curd or buttermilk was used in the preparation of the food — the ice cream too was vegan!

From invitations to stage decorations, they used biodegradable, recycled or upcycled materials — for the invite they had the message on rubber tree leaves, the event was held in a lawn, minimising the need for lights and artificial decoration to save energy and reduce carbon footprint.

(Source: The Hindu)

7. Damaged EB Poles Pose a Threat in Avadi

Several residents complained that the local officials were not bothered about the potential risks. Image for representational purpose only.(Photo Courtesy: AP)

Residents of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) quarters in Avadi are living with the fear of electrocution, thanks to the condition of a large number of electricity poles in the locality.

The TNHB layout is one of the biggest residential localities in Avadi Municipality having more than 75 streets comprising of low-income and middle-income families. The electricity poles are so badly damaged that most of them expose the iron rods fixed inside the concrete poles, residents complained.

(Source: The Hindu)