Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam is visiting Tiruchirappalli to meet his supporters
A man allegedly found carrying a kitchen knife caused a flutter at the entrance of the airport in Tiruchirappalli when former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam was being received on his arrival today, police said.
The man was later identified as Solairaja, a local AIADMK worker and supporter of Mr Panneerselvam, the police said.
As the AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi Amma leader was being received by his supporters just outside the arrival entrance, the knife kept by Solairaja in his waist fell down. Immediately, some supporters of Mr Panneerselvam mistook it as an attempt to attack their leader and overpowered Solairaja, who is said to be a professional cook, and handed him over to airport police.
During his interrogation, Solairaja told police that he was also a follower of Mr Panneerselvam and did not intend to attack him. He said he always used to keep the knife, police said adding further investigation was on.
Mr Panneerselvam had been accorded CRPF security cover by the Centre from April 2 in the wake of incidents including, hurling of stones on his vehicle after he had revolted against AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala's leadership in February this year.
He is visiting Tiruchirappalli to meet his supporters.