Chennai:
Criticising the AIADMK government over the handling the protests by Muslims opposed to the US-made film that allegedly denigrating Islam, DMK chief M Karunanidhi today demanded to know why efforts were not taken to amicably solve the issue through talks.
Holding the government responsible over the developments concerning anti-US protests that turned violent twice - on Friday last week and on Tuesday, he also alleged police are being made a "scapegoat" in this issue. He referred to the removal of JK Tripathy as City Police Commissioner to buttress his claim.
"This (the anti-US protests) is happening for five days. Why were no efforts taken on behalf of the government to hold talks with representatives of the protestors and assure them that the issue would be solved amicably," he said in a letter to his partymen.
He said the violence - mobs setting ablaze two-wheelers and police resorting to a lathicharge to disperse the crowd on Tuesday - reminded him of a battle-field.
Referring to a host of other events, including allegations by Christians of desecration of a church at Idinthakarai by police acting against anti-nuclear protestors, he said the government was not handling law and order and related activities properly.