Attempt to attack former minister Ramachandran

VIRUDHUNAGAR: An attempt was made to attack KKSSR Ramachandran, former minister and Virudhunagar district secretary of DMK, while he was participating in a protest demonstration against petrol price hike in Virudhunagar on Wednesday.The incident occurred when he was about to leave the venue after the agitation was over. When the former minister was boarding his car a man rushed towards him and caught hold of his shirt. Startled by this Ramachandran wriggled himself out. The party cadre, who were near the ex-minister, thrashed him. The police personnel on duty rescued the man and took him away to the Virudhunagar west police station.Police identified the man as Ramasamy (60) of Palavanatham village.  Enquiries also revealed that he was an ex-serviceman and was undergoing treatment in Kerala for mental illness. He was then let off by the police.Former MLAs V P Rajan and Dhanuskodi participated in the protest.