Tamil Nadu: 9 policemen injured as van set to join deputy CM Paneerselvam's convoy overturns in Thanjavur

Nine policemen were injured on Friday when the van in which they were travelling to join Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam’s convoy overturned near Orathanadu in the Thanjavur district, the police said. The armed reserve police personnel were proceeding in a van from Thanjavur to Aladikkimolai to join the deputy chief minister’s convoy when it overturned at Ammamuthukula near Orathanadu, the police added.

Panneerselvam was touring cyclone-affected areas in Thanjavur district. Cyclone Gaja had crossed the state’s coast last week, leaving a trail of destruction in several districts including Thanjavur. The injured policemen were being treated at the government hospital in Orathanadu. 

Read More | Death count rises 45 as cyclone Gaja leaves a trail of destruction

On Thursday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to talk about the devastation caused by the cyclonic storm Gaja and sought comprehensive central assistance package to tide over the situation. 

“Today I met PM Modi and submitted a memorandum seeking assistance of Rs 15,000 crore for destruction caused by Cyclone Gaja. The money requested has been sought as interim relief. We also requested Prime Minister to depute central team to carry out cyclone's assessment. PM Modi assured us for the same,” he said.

Coconut trees and banana plantations spread across several lakhs of acres in districts including Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam were uprooted pushing farmers into a crisis in the state.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit meanwhile visited affected areas including Vedaranyam and Pushpavanam in Nagapattinam district and distributed assistance to people.

He also inspected food preparations at the relief centres and interacted with doctors at a medical camp.

Also Read | Cyclone Gaja: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami seeks Rs 15,000-crore aid from PM Modi

Speaking to reporters, the Governor said, "As far as food is concerned it is being supplied everywhere, rice is available and administration is doing whatever is possible. I appreciate their zeal, dedication and work."

On the questions posed to him by the affected people, he said, "they wanted tarpaulins and some money."

Purohit said he had told the people to be patient for a few days and that the administration would fulfil their requirements.