Latest news with #TKSElangovan
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Language twist to TN school van tragedy: DMK says gateman did not know Tamil; urges to hire people who know mother tongue
DMK Spokesperson TKS Elangovan NEW DELHI: In the tragic school van collision in Tamil Nadu that claimed the lives of three students on Tuesday, a fresh political angle has emerged. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has alleged that a language barrier contributed to the incident, claiming the railway gateman posted at the crossing did not understand Tamil. According to the DMK, the lack of familiarity with the local language may have led to a critical communication lapse, ultimately resulting in the fatal crash. DMK Spokesperson TKS Elangovan said, "Already there was an accident here and the Railway authority themselves stated that it was because the person did not know Tamil language. He could not understand what was told to him. The same thing has happened now. So, it is always better in such important positions that the people who know the local language should be posted so that it will be helpful. That will at least save the people. " The incident occurred at approximately 7:45 am when a school van carrying students attempted to cross railway level crossing Gate No. 170 between Cuddalore and Alappakkam. The van was struck by Train No. 56813 Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai passenger. The collision caused the van to be thrown away from the crossing. The train's loco pilot managed to halt the train after some distance. Television footage revealed the severely damaged yellow school vehicle. Conflicting accounts emerged regarding the gate's status. Southern Railway maintained the crossing was closed, whilst the van driver requested opening to avoid delay. However, both the driver and an injured student assert the gate was open. The incident resulted in four fatalities, including three students initially and one who later died in hospital. The driver and another student were admitted to Government Hospital, Cuddalore/JIPMER Pondicherry. The incident occurred approximately 190 km from Chennai. Southern Railway's preliminary investigation indicated the gate was closed when the van arrived. They stated the gatekeeper improperly permitted the van's crossing, violating protocols. Legal proceedings have commenced against the gatekeeper. Southern Railway noted that an underpass project awaits District Collector's approval for the past year. The injured student, Vishwesh, and driver Shankar maintain the gate was open and no train signal was heard. A bystander who assisted the victims suffered electric shock from damaged wiring and was hospitalised. Southern Railway expressed regret and announced compensation: Rs 5 Lakh for deceased families, Rs 2.5 lakh for seriously injured, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries. Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin announced additional compensation: Rs 5 lakh for victims' families, Rs 1 lakh for serious injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries. Railway authorities deployed a relief train with medical facilities. Senior officials, including the General Manager and Divisional Railway Manager, supervised rescue operations. The incident also damaged an overhead electrical mast. Various state officials, including Governor R N Ravi, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, Opposition Leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, and AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, expressed condolences.
India Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Gatekeeper didn't know Tamil, language barrier led to school van crash: DMK leader
Senior DMK leader TKS Elangovan on Tuesday alleged that the fatal school van accident in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, could have been caused by a language barrier, claiming the gatekeeper at the railway crossing 'was not a native Tamil speaker' and this miscommunication may have led to the accident occurred around 7.45 am at Gate Number 170, a manned but non-interlocked level crossing between Cuddalore and Alappakkam. A school van carrying five students and a driver attempted to cross the tracks as the gate was being shut for an oncoming No. 56813, the Villupuram–Mayiladuthurai passenger service, struck the van and dragged it nearly 50 metres along the tracks. Locals rushed to the scene, discovering two students dead on the tracks, while another died at the hospital during treatment. The deceased were identified as Nimilesh (12), Charumathi (16), and Chezhian. Others remain critically injured at the Cuddalore Government gatekeeper, identified as Pankaj Sharma, was suspended after the incident and has now been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation. According to preliminary findings, Sharma was in the process of closing the gate when the van driver allegedly insisted on crossing, despite being Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each for the also instructed the Cuddalore District Collector and other officials to ensure quality medical care for the of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami also expressed condolences and called on the government to support the victims' families and ensure Railways dispatched a relief train with medical staff and senior officers, including the Divisional Railway Manager, visited the site. A joint probe by the Railways and local police is under way to determine the circumstances leading to the collision.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
India Gazette
22-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
They want Israel's support: DMK slams Centre's silence on Palestine issue
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India] June 22 (ANI): DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan has criticised the Centre's silence on the Palestine issue, which he said is 'wrong' accusing the Union Government of shifted its stance to garner support from Israel. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Elangovan said, 'The Indian Government has supported Palestine earlier and approved it, now they are silent. The policy of the government should be the same, but now they want Israel's support, so they are supporting Israel. Earlier, they said that they approve of Palestine as a separate nation; now, they are silent on this issue, which is wrong...' Previoulsy, India had abstained during voting at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) over the ceasefire in Gaza. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a permanent resolution demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. A total of 149 countries voted in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza in the UNGA; meanwhile, 19 countries abstained and 12 nations voted against the resolution. In the intervening hours of Saturday and Sunday (June 21-22), the US and Israel targeted Iran's nuclear sites in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. Fardow is Iran's main enrichment location for uranium enrichment to 60 per cent. According to a CNN report, the US likely used six B-2 bombers to drop a dozen GBU-57 A/B 'bunker buster' bombs, also known as Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOP), on the Fordow nuclear site, which is Iran's main location for uranium enrichment. A US official also told CNN that a full payload of bombs was dropped on his first public remarks following the strikes, President Trump warned that further action could be taken if Tehran fails to agree to a satisfactory peace settlement. Last week, India's Representative Office in Ramallah urged Indian nationals in Palestine to remain vigilant and observe locally advised safety and emergency procedures 'in view of the current situation'. It has also released a number which Indian nationals can contact in case of emergency.' 'In view of the current situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Palestine are requested to remain vigilant and observe locally advised safety and emergency procedures. Please exercise caution and avoid unnecessary movement. In case of an emergency, please contact us at +970592916418 or We remain at your disposal for any further guidance,' India's Representative Office in Ramallah said in a post on X. The advisory came amid escalating tensions in West Asia following Israel's strikes on Iran. The Israel Defence Force (IDF) had said Israel has launched a 'precise, preemptive strike' in Iran. The spokesperson, BG Effie Defrin, said the strikes were aimed at damaging Iran's nuclear programme and in response to the Iranian regime's ongoing aggression against Israel. (ANI)
India Gazette
14-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
DMK's Elangovan criticises demolition of Madrasi Camp in Delhi, demands affected to be rehabilitated
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 14 (ANI): DMK Spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Friday criticised the demolition of the Madrasi Camp in Delhi and demanded that the affected residents, most of them Tamilians, be properly rehabilitated. Speaking to ANI, DMK Spokesperson TKS Elangovan said, 'Our interest is to protect the affected people, particularly the Tamil people who have been affected. The residents should be given an alternative.' Earlier on Friday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, expressing deep concern over the humanitarian crisis following the demolition of Madrasi Camp in South East Delhi's Jangpura on June 1. The demolition displaced 370 Tamil-origin families who had been living in the area for decades. In his letter, Stalin urged immediate steps to alleviate the distress faced by these families, many of whom have contributed significantly to Delhi's economy and society. In his letter, Stalin urged immediate steps to mitigate the distress faced by these families, many of whom have lived and worked in Delhi for decades. 'I wish to draw your urgent attention to the humanitarian crisis precipitated by the demolition of Jangpura's Madrasi Camp on 1st June 2025. This has rendered 370 Tamil-origin families, who for decades have contributed significantly to Delhi's economy, homeless and destitute. As per the Hon'ble Delhi High Court's orders, a joint survey certified 189 families as eligible for EWS flats. The Hon'ble High Court had also directed the Government agencies (DDA and DUSIB) to complete all essential services like water, electricity, sanitation, internal roads, drainage and street lighting in Pockets G-7 and G-8, Narela, where the alternative accommodation has been provided. The Court further mandated the Delhi Government to ensure immediate admissions for displaced children in nearby Government and MCD schools, establish Primary Healthcare Centres and Fair-Price Shops, and arrange requisite DTC and Metro transport links in accordance with the 2016 policy,' Stalin wrote. Stalin further expressed concern over the plight of 189 EWS families allotted flats in Narela, which remain uninhabitable due to incomplete essential services. Stalin noted that 181 other families remain homeless without alternative accommodation. 'Regrettably, although 189 families have been formally allotted EWS flats in Narela, the units remain unfit for occupation owing to incomplete provision of essential services. These sites lie nearly 20 kilometres from many beneficiaries' places of work, yet no dedicated transport services have been provided. Moreover, educational arrangements for over 150 Tamil-medium children have not been implemented in accordance with the Court's directives. In the absence of these amenities, household earners-particularly women-remain unemployed and students face imminent disruption to their studies, compounding the dislocation distress of this vulnerable community. The remaining 181 families have not been provided any alternative accommodation and have been left homeless,' he wrote. The Tamil Nadu CM further demanded government attention over the situation, saying, 'I strongly urge your Government to act immediately to relieve the hardship of the displaced families by completing and handing over the 189 EWS flats in full shape to the entitled families, fast-tracking community infrastructure, and providing dedicated transport services.' The demolition at Madrasi Camp was carried out on June 1 as authorities acted on court orders to clear encroachments along the Barapulla drain. The operation was carried out to resolve the flooding issues caused by the narrowed drain, which obstructs water flow during heavy rains. Out of the 370 encroachments demolished, 189 residents were deemed eligible for resettlement and allocated flats in Narela, while 181 were ineligible. (ANI)
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP Is Tamil Nadu's 'Main Enemy'? DMK Slams Amit Shah's Claim to Win State Polls in 2026
DMK leader TKS Elangovan has launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah following his fiery speech in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Elangovan declared the BJP as the "main enemy" of the Tamil people, accusing the party of sabotaging the state's education system and withholding funds. He alleged that the BJP wins elections through manipulation, not public mandate. In response, Amit Shah asserted that the BJP-AIADMK-led NDA will form the government in Tamil Nadu in 2026. Shah emphasized BJP's commitment to Tamil pride, referencing the installation of Sengol in Parliament and demanding medical and engineering education in Tamil. He also cited India's strong response to terror attacks under Modi, highlighting Operation Sindoor. As the war of words heats up, the political battle for Tamil Nadu intensifies. Will BJP gain ground or will DMK hold its fort? Watch this explosive political face-off unfold.#bjpvsdmk #amitshah #tkselangovan #tamilnadupolitics #modi2026 #operationsindoor #tamilpride #nda2026 #maduraispeech #bjpintamilnadu #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews Read More
