An octogenarian woman lost her life while participating in a political demonstration in Coimbatore district on Wednesday, casting a shadow over a protest organized by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
Collapse at the Protest Venue
The incident occurred near the Panchayat Union office in Ottarpalayam, Annur. P Ponnammal, aged 80 and a resident of Ottarpalayam, was among an estimated 300 people who had gathered for the protest. The demonstration was aimed at voicing opposition to the Union government's proposed VB-GRamG Bill.
Around 11:20 am, the elderly participant fainted suddenly and collapsed at the protest site. Fellow protesters rushed her to a nearby private hospital for urgent medical attention. However, doctors at the facility examined her and declared her 'brought dead.' Her body was subsequently transferred to the Government Hospital in Mettupalayam for a postmortem examination to determine the precise cause of death.
Police Case and Family's Complaint
Following the tragic event, a formal complaint was lodged with the Annur police. P Velusamy, the 55-year-old son of the deceased, who hails from Mekinaru Pogalur in Annur, filed the report. Acting on the complaint, the police have registered a case. The legal action has been taken under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which deals with causing death by negligence or rash act not amounting to culpable homicide.
Aftermath and Context
The death of Ponnammal has brought a somber turn to the political agitation against the central legislation. While the protest was part of a larger political movement, the focus has now shifted to the unfortunate demise of a senior citizen. The incident underscores the physical strains that public demonstrations can impose, particularly on elderly participants. Authorities are investigating the circumstances leading to her collapse, as the community mourns the loss.
