Latest news with #Manikandan
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Periya case convict K Manikandan resigns as Kanhangad block panchayat president
K Manikandan, convicted in the Periya double murder case, resigned from his post as Kanhangad Block panchayat president and member on Saturday (June 21, 2025), ahead of a possible disqualification verdict by the Election Commission. Manikandan submitted his resignation letter to the Block panchayat secretary, stating personal and political reasons. However, in a detailed Facebook post later, he described the move as an ethical decision in line with Communist principles of public service. His resignation comes as the Election Commission is set to announce its decision on a complaint filed by Congress leader Baburaj, seeking his disqualification following the Ernakulam CBI court's conviction. Manikandan had been sentenced to five years in prison but the High Court granted him bail and stayed the sentence pending appeal. Political observers view the resignation as a preemptive move to avoid disqualification which could have political ramifications in the run-up to local body election. UDF sources said the ruling LDF wanted to avoid providing the opposition with ammunition during the polls. Party sources confirmed that permission had already been given for his resignation, but it was delayed until after the Nilambur by-election. With only a few months remaining in the current term, no by-election will be held for his ward. In his Facebook note, Manikandan likened public service to navigating stormy seas and described his resignation as part of a 'trasnition' in public life. He thanked supporters and asserted that his departure was in keeping with the values of the party and the responsibilities entrusted to him.
New Indian Express
21 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Bid to sell elephant tusks foiled, five arrested near Valparai
COIMBATORE: Officials of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) arrested five persons, including two temporary staff of the Tamil forest department, on charges of trying to sell two elephant tusks at Thaimudi Estate near Valparai on Saturday. The arrested persons are Manikandan (47), Raja (39) and Devabala (45) of Thaimudi Estate. The temporary staff of the forest department are Premdass (29) and Raman (35). A car used for transporting tusks was seized. "The length of the tusks is more than five feet. Manikandan retrieved the tusks from a dead elephant in the reserve forest in Valparai. Four others, including our temporary staff, helped him. We arrested them after we got a tip-off that they were trying to sell the tusks. Manikandan is the mastermind. He was involved in a similar poaching case," said a forest official. Explaining the modus operandi of the gang, the official said: "Manikandan lured the temporary forest staff by offering to pay them a good amount after a deal on the sale of tusks. He asked them to inform him about elephant deaths. They obliged and alerted them about an elephant death. Thereafter, they took away the tusks from the carcass of the elephant. This likely occurred a few months ago. We are also investigating the involvement of others." The arrest of the temporary staff will be a lesson for other staff and will help prevent such incidents in the future," the official noted.
New Indian Express
15-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
35 years on, TN teacher gets new home as ‘guru dakshina'
CUDDALORE: For J Chandra, a 75-year-old retired private schoolteacher of Chidambaram whose entire life was spent in illuminating the lives of thousands of students, help came at her darkest hour from her own students — in the form a new home. As the teacher landed in bad times after the death of her husband and relatives, and poor health affected her ability to teach, she had to wage a lonely battle for survival inside a crumbling hut. All this changed when N Manikandan, one of her former students from 35 years ago who couldn't bear to see her troubles, reached out to his classmates to give their history teacher a helping hand. On Friday (June 13) morning, Chandra stepped into the new home built by her students at a cost of Rs 3.5 lakh at Kavarappalayam Street in Bhuvanagiri. It took six months to finish the construction work but the smile on Chandra's face, when her former students handed over the key to their beloved teacher, made it all worthwhile. Ex-student shares Chandra's ordeal on WhatsApp, helps raise Rs 3.5 lakh Manikandan, who had studied under her at Mangalam Matriculation School in Perumathur over 35 years ago, decided to take a leap of faith when he collected the contact details of his classmates, shared the teachers' ordeal on WhatsApp, and sought their response. 'She (Chandra) has been living in poverty for all these years, and was unable to build a house even under government housing schemes, owing to financial constraints. After learning about her condition, many of my batch mates pitched in, and helped raise Rs 3.5 lakh. My friend V Prem Kumar, who lives in London, played a key role in coordinating three batches, including ours, to make this possible,' said Manikandan, who currently resides in Bhuvanagiri. 'We had initially planned for a concrete-roof house, but she requested a simpler one, considering her age. So, we built a house with a hall, kitchen, and toilet on a portion of the 2.75 cents of land she owns, spending Rs 3.5 lakh,' he added.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Time of India
Five Coimbatore cops placed under suspension for taking bribe, misconduct
Coimbatore: City police commissioner A Saravana Sundar on Thursday evening placed five police personnel under suspension for various misconduct. A traffic police inspector facing corruption charges was, meanwhile, transferred to the police control room on Friday. An official source identified the suspended cops as Manikandan, a head constable with the Vadavalli police station; Vadivelu, a constable attached to the Selvapuram police station; Maharajan, a constable with the Variety Hall Road police station; and head constable Kapoor and constable Vinoth, both attached to the Podanur police station. He said head constable Manikandan had threatened a motorist named Senthil Kumar, who was caught with a beer bottle on his motorcycle during a vehicle check on the night of June 3, to pay the cash he had with him for not registering a drunk driving case against him. "The head constable told the motorist that he had to shell out Rs10,000 in fine for drunk driving. The motorist paid him Rs700 and his friend, who came to know about the incident, approached police. Subsequently, a probe was initiated against Manikandan, who was placed under suspension on Thursday." According to the source, constables Vadivelu and Maharajan were placed under suspension for obtaining call detail report for a mobile phone number without the knowledge of senior police officers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is USDJPY on the Upward Move? IC Markets Sign Up Undo "Maharajan was deputed as a writer at the office of the deputy police commissioner (South) at the city police commissionerate. When his friend Vadivelu approached him to secure the call detail report for a particular mobile number, he obtained the same. The call detail report is usually collected in connection with crime and other cases. Now, senior police officials have begun an inquiry into the particular mobile number." He said head constable Kapoor and constable Vinoth were placed under suspension for taking a bribe of Rs1,000 from a drunkard on the night of May 30 for not registering a case against him. In another instance, deputy police commissioner (traffic) Ashok Kumar on Friday posted city traffic police inspector (west) Periyasamy at the police control room for taking money from motorists for not booking them for traffic violations. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Madurai corpn floats proposal for private operation of new LPG crematoriums
1 2 3 Madurai: With three new LPG crematoriums in Narayanapuram, Annaiyur, and Melamadai nearing completion, the Madurai City Corporation has invited proposals from private operators to manage and maintain the facilities on a not-for-profit basis. Built at a cost of ₹2 crore each, the crematoriums are expected to be operational within two months. The selected agency, designated as the "Operator," will be responsible for running the facilities following safety norms, environmental regulations, and public expectations. A senior corporation official said the operator's duties include managing LPG cremation units, maintaining hygiene, and providing essential amenities such as toilets, bath areas, and prayer halls. The agency will also facilitate on-site death registration and ensure uninterrupted operations during emergencies by deploying additional staff if needed. Operators must install CCTV surveillance as directed by the corporation to enhance safety and accountability. "Cleanliness and dignity must not be compromised in such sensitive spaces," said civic activist VP Manikandan. The maximum service fee will be capped at ₹3,500 per cremation, subject to revision by the corporation. Staff are expected to wear uniforms and treat bereaved families with empathy and respect. Each crematorium is projected to handle about 50 cremations a month, with potential for increased usage as services improve. Officials believe the modern, LPG-based facilities will offer a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to traditional wood-fired pyres and help reduce pressure on existing cremation sites. MSID:: 121574491 413 |
