Tributes paid to Alagumuthu Kone

The 256th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Veeran Alagumuthu Kone was celebrated at his birth place in Kattalankulam village, Kayathar taluk on Saturday. Collector M. Ravikumar along with Kovilpatti MLA C. Raju, Kovilpatti Revenue Divisional Officer S. Kannabiran and other officials visited his memorial at Kattalankulam and garlanded his statue.

The Collector said Tuticorin was known as the hotbed of freedom fighters, who fought against the British and earned freedom for the people. He said memorials recognising the gallant deeds of freedom fighters were built by the State government. A memorial for Veerapandiya Kattabomman was built at a cost of Rs.1.20 crore in Kayathar and opened for the public recently.

During the programme, welfare assistance to the tune of Rs. 2,03,350 was extended to 30 beneficiaries. Moreover, 320 beneficiaries were provided with welfare assistance to the tune of Rs. 39 lakh under the Pudhu Vazhvu Thittam. Project Director of DRDA V.R. Veerapathiran, Kovilpatti Tahsildar E. Jothi, Kayathar Block Development Officer V. Mohan took part in the programme. Scores of people garlanded Veeran Alagumuthu Kone’s statue. Ilasai Manian, Secretary, Raghunathan Library and Bharathi Research Centre, Ettayapuram, said still a few materials including sword, spear, decorated umbrella and lamp, used by the freedom fighter were preserved in his ancestral house at Kattalankulam.

Hence, steps should be taken to preserve them in his memorial to attract tourists.

Prohibitory orders

The district administration had promulgated prohibited orders on Saturday. Adequate police force was deployed to prevent any untoward incident.