Attempt to kill OPS? Man with knife held at Tiruchi airport

An AIADMK cadre who was found carrying a knife inside the Tiruchi airport and was allegedly trying to get close to the party's rebel leader O Panneerselvam was detained by CISF personnel on Saturday.

Inquiries found that the man was a supporter of Panneerselvam's faction and was a barber by profession.

Though preliminary inquiries revealed that the man had carried the knife into the airport by mistake, Panneerselvam told journalists that there was an attempt to attack him.

Solairajan, a cart pusher, had come along with MGR Mandram office-bearer Velmurugan to receive the former Chief Minister.

Solairajan, who was said to be drunk at that time, had a knife in his trouser which the police said he used to carry every time to cut wire loads while transporting them in the pushcart.

When Panneerselvam came out of the airport through the VIP exit, his supporters, who had been waiting for him, started to run towards him. CISF personnel tried to stop the crowd.

Solairajan was among the crowd. The knife he was carrying fell on the ground. On seeing the knife, CISF personnel held him and recovered the knife.