Following the killing of a 23-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu after an illegal AIADMK banner fell on her, deputy chief minister and chief minister issued statements on behalf of the party. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy CM O Paneerselvam released a statement on behalf of the party after the massive campaign by Republic against the illegal hoarding. They have said that the cadres should not erect any banners which cause trouble to the public. "It is sad to know that some enthusiastic cadres place banners which are causing trouble to the public which is very disappointing to learn. Hence, the party leadership requests the cadres to restrain from erecting banners which will cause inconvenience to the public," the statement added. 

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What is the incident?

In a shocking incident, a 23-year old girl has been killed in Tamil Nadu after being crushed by an illegal banner of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). The girl named Subhashree was allegedly crushed by a water tanker in Chennai's Pallikarni after an illegal banner fell on her. The girl was reportedly riding her scooty when a loosely erected banner fell on her. As a result, the girl lost control of her scooty and she was crushed to death by a water tanker that came right from behind, as per reports.  

Following the incident, two FIRs were filed against the lorry driver and the ADMK politician C Jayagopal for putting out illegal banners. As per reports, the banners were erected for a wedding ceremony of the minister's son. The driver of the water tanker - Manoj has also been booked under IPC SEC 279, 336, 304 A. Second case was later filed against ex ADMK councillor Jayagopal based on the complaint of Amalraj, assistant engineer of division 188 of Chennai corporation. Police also registered a case under Section 4 of The Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1959, for putting out banners illegally without permission for his son's wedding. Chennai Corporation also sealed Shanmuga Graphics and stickers which had printed the banners and flex board for the wedding celebration of AIADMK ex-councillor Jayagopal. In December 2018 Chennai Corporation had issued a statement warning strict action including fine and jail term against those who put up illegal banners without requisite permission.

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AIADMK minister blamed citizens

Earlier in the day when an AIADMK minister was asked about the incident, he said that it is the citizens'responsibility to ensure road safety. Jayakumar, AIADMK government's minister without uttering a word on illegal banners that have also been banned by the Madras High Court in 2017, said: "The human is life is most valuable thing, its very precious, we can save our lives when we wear helmet while travelling in a two-wheeler & likewise, seat belt in car can avoid accident and also deaths when you travel in car. We tend to lose of life because of our carelessness in few situations which can be avoided, we have seen such reports in media and newspapers. Hence we can save our valuable lives if we wear a helmet for two Wheelers and seat belts for car, its our responsibility."

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Madras HC Slammed AIADMK Govt

Following the fatal incident, the Madras High Court while hearing a Contempt of Court plea by a traffic activist asked on Friday as to why banners were necessary. The court also asked if the ministers will know the route only after banners are erected. The Court further questioned as to why the practice was rampant despite many orders previously on the banners. Madras High Court asked C Jayagopal that by whose permission the govt has put the party flags in the beach road, and ordered officials to immediately remove the party flags. 

Madras HC slams AIADMK govt after illegal banner kills 23-yr-old girl