TVK founder T Velmurugan fights with toll gate staff

There was a huge tussle between toll employees and T Velmurugan, the founder of the Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi (TVK), prior to which, vehicles bound towards Chennai had a free ride through the Madurantagam toll gate on Tuesday morning. Three toll employees were arrested by police in connection with this incident. Though reports claim that Velmurugan threw shoes at the staff, police said there was no validation on this.

According to police, Velmurugan, a former MLA from Panrutti, was travelling to Chennai as he was passing the Madurantagam toll gate, toll staff asked for fee.

"In response, he showed a pass exempting him from paying the fee at toll plazas across the country. But employees at the toll, who didn't understand Tamil, refused to accept this pass," said a senior police official from Kancheepuram district.

This led to a vocal fight which later turned worse with Velmurugan's driver hitting one of the workers. More men from the car including the ex-MLA engaged in a scuffle, the official added.

As the fight persisted, other Chennai-bound vehicles had a free ride until police reached at the scene to arrest three employees based on Velmurugan's complaint. Velmurugan was held by police for vandalizing a toll gate at Ulundurpet last May in the course of the state-wide Cauvery protests.