Stalin arrested in Chennai for leading protest, released

MK Stalin, former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, was released after being in police custody for a brief spell in Chennai for leading a demonstration attended by nearly 3000 people. The police say that Mr Stalin did not have permission for his gathering.

Several other party leaders including actor Khushboo were also arrested with Mr Stalin and were subsequently released.

The DMK is holding protests across the state against what it describes as the government's vendetta. In the last few weeks, several politicians close to DMK chief M Karunanidhi have been arrested on charges that include land-grabbing.

"Let the Tamil Nadu government probe from 2001. Land grabbing by AIADMK leaders will come to light," said Mr Stalin who is Mr Karunanidhi's younger son.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, meanwhile, denied the charge that she had unleashed "vendetta politics" against Mr Karunanidhi's partymen, saying that police were acting on "genuine complaints filed by persons with no political backing."

"Land grab complaints had been filed during previous DMK regime also by affected persons but no action was taken then.

After AIADMK government took over, victims began thronging police stations and seeing cases swelling in this connection, a special cell was formed to handle them," she said.

"Therefore, this cannot be described as vendetta politics," she said.

"We are not avenging anyone. The police are taking action on complaints," she said.

The DMK lost the elections in May, which led to Mr Karunanidhi being replaced as Chief Minister by J Jayalalithaa.

Last week, senior police officers seen as DMK loyalists were raided.

The DMK and Jayalalithaa's AIADMK share a long and vicious history of political rivalry, manifested regularly through court and police cases against each other.

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CM announces incentives for IAS aspirants

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today announced scholarship, incentive and travelling allowance to IAS aspirants from the State, who are being trained at the State government training institute at Anna Nagar in Chennai.

According to an official release, the Chief Minister announced increasing the monthly stipend from Rs 1200 to Rs 2000 for the trainees of the institute, besides directing that it be revised by five per cent annually in the coming years.

Jayalalithaa also announced Rs 3000 as incentive for 200 students for three months to encourage them do well in their preparation for Central services, exams for which are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.

She also said Rs 2000 would be given as travel allowance to those aspirants who had underwent training at the institute and cleared the exams to appear for the personal interview in New Delhi.

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Major fire in Abirami Mega Mall

Chennai, July 2: A major fire broke out at Abirami Mega Mall, here in Purasawalkam at 6.45 am on Monday. Since the intensity of the fire is high, fire service personnel are still trying to put out the fire.

The mega mall houses 6 theatres, shops, a food court and a gaming zone. Since the fire happened before the busy business hours, nobody is injured or trapped in the building, Police said.

Sources say, an electrical short circuit caused the fire at the building. Traffic has been affected on Purasawalkam High Road and adjoining areas because of the diversions.

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Namitha wants to go 'dirty'!

Namithaa, the hot and happening actress of South Cinema openly says that she would like to play the role of Silk Smitha in the Tamil remake of The Dirty Picture!

The actress who is now working hard to shed some extra kgs says, "Nowadays people asking me about my opinion and commitment on the Tamil remake of Ektha Kapoor's The Dirty Picture. It gives immense happiness to me. Because, I'm one of the very big fans of late Silk Smitha. In fact, I'm the very suitable actress to do justice to the role. If the producer offered the role to me, I will do that with out any second thought!"

Recently, a survey revealed that Namitha is the only actress having a large number of fans in South Indian Cinema. Speaking on that, the dazzling diva told, "It makes me more proud and happy. Thanks to my dear Machans!"

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