President of Trichy district drama artistes' body receives threat

TRICHY: President of the Trichy district drama artists' association Muhammad Mastan has sought police protection after receiving a threat letter on July 22, asking him to support the candidature of actors Vishal and Nassar for the post of office bearers of the Nadigar Sangam. Mastan lodged a complaint with the Trichy police commissioner and sought protection.
The Nadigar Sangam election was stayed by the Madras high court based on a petition filed by supporters of the two actors, challenging the election notification issued by the current office bearers. Meanwhile, Muhammad Mastan, who has been backing Nadigar Sangam president and AISMK chief Sarath Kumar, received the threat letter asking him to support Vishal.
An inland letter addressed to Mastan reached his home on Wednesday. The letter with abusive content against him, Sarath Kumar, Nadigar Sangam secretary Radha Ravi and Sarath's wife and actor Radhika carried the sender's name as R Vyapuri Reddy from Chennai-600026.
It warned of dire consequences if they failed to back Vishal for the Nadigar Sangam election. The letter further asked him to take a team of artists from Namakkal stage artists' association, including its president 'Auto' Raja, along with him in support of Vishal.
Alleging that the letter had been sent to him on the direction of Vishal and his supporters, Mastan said, "Vishal and his supporters came to Trichy to conduct a meeting with actors to seek support for his candidature.
None of the members from the Trichy district drama artists' association attended the meeting". Mastan claimed that the threat letter was sent to him as he had given interviews to various TV channels on July 18, opposing the candidature of Vishal and his team.