Vaniyambadi (Tamil Nadu): Vaniyambadi Municipal Commissioner Cecil Thomas has apologised after he was seen overturning carts of vendors inside a COVID-19 containment zone.
With restrictions gradually being eased across the country, in Tirupathur district too, permission was granted to open shops in all areas, except the four containment zones - Vaniyambadi, Devasthanam, Chettiyapanur Ramanayapet, and Girisamudram.
However, when Municipal Commissioner Cecil Thomas and other officers conducted a surprise inspection inside the containment zone, they found fruit and vegetable vendors on the streets.
This angered Thomas, who was seen overturning carts of the vendors in a video, which went viral on social media.
The officer's conduct drew widespread criticism, with DMK MP Kanimozhi condemning the act.
In a tweet, she said that power was being misused on poor people, and demanded strict action against the officer for his inhuman act.
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"#VaniyambadiMunicipality commissioner I know is a sincere and dedicated officer who had put his life in the prevention of COVID-19 spread. What I see in this video is unfortunate and sad. Anyways for all violations, law has to take its course," wrote IPS officer Vijayakumar, who is in charge of the Tirupathur district.
Similarly, Dharmapuri MP Dr Senthilkumar said the officer had put in sincere efforts to control the spread of the infection in the region, but urged him to apologise for his mistake.
"Heard from many people in Vaniyambadi, the commissioner had put in sincere efforts to control the spread. This incident was wrong. I feel if he apologises to the fruit vendors in person and compensates them for the loss," he tweeted.
Following the massive online backlash, Thomas apologised for his actions, and in defence, said that he did not want Vaniyambadi to turn into another Koyambedu, a marketplace in Chennai which has emerged as a hotspot.
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