Violence mars AGM of actors’ body

The meeting witnessed the presence of leading actors like Vikram, Vijay Sethupathi and Sivakarthikeyan, among others. The meeting also passed a few resolutions. Minutes before the AGM, violence erupted outside the venue after around 30 persons tried to barge into the venue. The men, owing allegiance to the previous set of office-bearers of the Sangam were stopped by the newly elected members and a scuffle broke out. During the commotion, an unidentified person threw a stone at actor Karunas’ vehicle parked outside the venue, damaging its windshield. Police arrested 21 persons in connection with the violence. Around 200 policemen were deployed at the venue with Deputy Commissioner Saravanan overseeing security. Following the chaos, the office-bearers Vishal, Nasser and Karthi said that the previous office-bearers Radha Ravi and Sarathkumar were expelled from the association. Speaking to reporters, treasurer of NS Karthi said, “The Sangam is currently working on setting things right as there was a lot of mismanagement by the previous office-bearers.” Membership of the association, pension scheme and other welfare measures for senior drama and theatre artistes were discussed at the meeting.