Arumugam stakes claim over Angammal Colony land

SALEM: Days after 23 families took physical possession of land in Angammal Colony, from where they were allegedly evicted by force by former minister Veerapandi Arumugam, the DMK district secretary has now staked claim over the disputed property.On Wednesday, Arumugam’s lawyer filed a petition on his behalf to Commissioner of Police K C Mahali with regard to the dispute. According to the petition, Arumugam’s family members purchased the land in question from a Karur-based man.  The power of attorney was allegedly granted to Koushika Boopathy, Arumugam’s political PA. Speaking to reporters here, the ex-minister refuted the claims of the people of Angammal Colony.The reports submitted to the Madras High Court by the then Collector, CoP and the Salem Corporation Commissioner proved that the land remained empty and that no one ever lived there, he claimed.It may be noted that ex-RDO Balagurusamy, who was named an accused in the Angammal Colony case for allegedly fabricating the report in this regard, was arrested and later released on bail. Arumugam’s lawyer A Moorthy claimed that the HC order was misinterpreted by the people of Angammal colony. The court order, dated July 26, 2008 only directs the Revenue, Police and the Municipal authorities to check the status quo of the land and take steps to resettle the petitioners, if they have been evicted, he said. This, Moorthy alleged, was being touted as a “verdict in their favour.”