Tamil Nadu Minister for Forests, K. Ponmudy, faced public outrage during his visit to Villupuram district on Monday, as locals protested against what they called "inadequate" relief measures in the aftermath of Cyclone Fengal. The cyclone, which brought heavy rainfall and widespread damage, has triggered unrest across the state over the government's disaster response.
The incident occurred in the Iruevelpattu area on the Tiruchirapalli-Chennai road, where protestors reportedly hurled stones and mud at the Minister. They accused Ponmudy of failing to address their concerns properly, alleging that he chose to remain inside his vehicle instead of stepping out to assess the ground situation.
Ponmudy, accompanied by his son Gautama Sikamani and Villupuram District Collector Palani, attempted to engage with the crowd but was met with hostility.
On the incident, TN BJP chief K Annamalai said, "This is the current state of affairs in Tamil Nadu. The CM and the Deputy Chief Minister were busy taking photos in the streets of Chennai while the city received very little rain and did not bother to keep track of the happenings beyond Chennai. The DIPR behaves like the media arm of the DMK and is busy promoting the Gopalapuram scion to divert people from the harsh realities of the flood, a clear sign of the government's neglect."
"Today, the public's frustration reached a boiling point as a Corrupt DMK Minister, Thiru Ponmudi, visited a flood-affected area and was met with a barrage of mud. This is a gentle reminder for DMK about what is on the offing," he said.
As tensions escalated, police officials intervened and escorted the Minister back to his vehicle to ensure his safety. The unrest in Villupuram is part of a broader wave of protests across Tamil Nadu.