Over 700 DMK cadres held and later, released in at five road junction in Krishnagiri

 DMK District Secretary T. Senguttuvan arrested for staging agitation against 

 AIADMK government at five road junction in Krishnagiri on Monday. Photo: N. Bashkaran

Monday was the day of arrests in the districts with about 1,728 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members being held for staging protests allegedly without permission condemning what they called the foisting of false land-grab cases against party leaders across the State.

In Krishnagiri, T. Senguttuvan, district secretary and Veppanahalli MLA, led the agitation near the five-road junction in the town. E.G. Sugavanam, MP, and former MLA. K.R.K. Narasimhan, and Kanchana Kamalanathan, State vice-president, Women's Wing, participated in the agitation, and raised slogans against the AIADMK government for about 10 minutes.

Arrest in Krishnagiri

Police then arrested the DMK men, took them to two marriage halls in the town, and after a head count, released them in the afternoon.

As many as 720 party workers including 20 women were arrested, as per official figures.

The arrested included B. Faritha Nawab, Chairman of Krishnagiri Municipality, N.S. Madheswaran, Chairman-in-charge, Hosur Municipality and chairmen of Panchayat Unions.

1008 arrested in Dharmapuri

In Dharmapuri district, the agitation was held in two towns. Former Information Minister V. Mullaivendan led the agitation at four road junction in Dharmapuri North. This was because the cadres were not allowed to agitate before the Collectorate.

Immediately after reaching four road junction, Mr. Mullaivendan garlanded the party's mentor and former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai and raised slogans against the AIADMK government.

R. Thamaraiselvan, Member of Parliament representing Dharmapuri, Keerai S. Viswanathan, senior leader, Vedammal, Harur Union Secretary, M. Govindarajan, former District Secretary and Chairman of Panchayat Unions R. Sidharthan, Ponnusamy, K. Manoharan among others were also arrested for participating in the agitation.

Here, about 354 workers including seven women were arrested and released later.

A similar protest was also held near the Tomato market in Palacode town, which was led by P.N.P. Inbasekaran. As many as 654 cadres including four women were arrested and later released.