MDMK Cadres Stage Demonstrations
More than 300 cadres of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) were removed by the police on Friday when they attempted to stage a demonstration at Gandhipuram in protest against the arrest of their party General Secretary Vaiko and presidium chairman M. Kannappan. A few also tried to block the road.
Mr. Vaiko and Mr. Kannappan were arrested for making speeches at a public meeting in Chennai supporting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The cadres were led by the party district secretaries R.T. Mariappan and R.R. Mohan Kumar. Pollachi Constituency MP C. Krishnan joined the demonstration later. The demonstrators raised slogans against the State Government. Some protesters tried to squat on the busy Nanjappa Road before they were removed by the police. Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam activists were removed by the police when they staged a demonstration near the Red Cross Society Building on Huzur Road in the City.
Tirupur: More than 150 MDMK cadres, led by the Labour Front leader, S. Duraisamy, were removed by the police when they tried to stage a demonstration in the hosiery town.
Salem: Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) activists staged a demonstration in Salem on Saturday condemning the arrest Vaiko and Kannappan. All of them were arrested. They came to the Collectorate and raised slogans against the Tamil Nadu Government. They also urged that both the leaders be released immediately. The police prevented them from taking out a procession.
District’s frontline office bearers took part in the agitation. Later the police arrested them and took them to a nearby marriage hall. Traffic in the area was affected for nearly 45 minutes.
Erode: MDMK cadres staged demonstration in Erode in protest against the arrests of General Secretary Vaiko and presidium chairman M. Kannappan.
Krishnagiri: About 290 MDMK party workers were arrested in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts on Saturday when they tried to hold demonstrations in protest against the arrests of party leaders Vaiko and Kannappan. MDMK district secretary T. Mathaiyan led the demonstrations at 5 Road junction. About 165 persons, including 12 women, were arrested. About 250 members of Kongu Vellalar Peravai held demonstrations against the killings of Tamils in Sri Lanka. District treasurer Mr. Rajendran led the demonstration before the Revenue Divisional Office.
Dharmapuri: MDMK cadres tried to hold demonstrations near Rajagopal Gounder Park. District secretary M. Sampath led the demonstration. Dharmapuri town police have arrested 125 party workers, including 25 women.
Udhagamandalam: MDMK activists staged a demonstration in Udhagamandalam on Saturday.
