Members of the Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India – Marxist, Communist Party of India – Marxist Leninist Liberation and Republican Socialist Party led by former Coimbatore MP P.R. Natarajan and Valparai MLA M. Arumugham staged a protest at Red Cross Junction against the visit of United States President Barack Obama.
The Left leaders accused the Union Government of amending laws and bringing in ordinances to please the U.S. Government and multinational companies there. By doing so the Government compromised the welfare of the people here, particularly that of workers.
The Left parties had given a call for a nation-wide protest against Mr. Obama’s visit and his participation in the Republic Day celebrations.
The District Secretary, CPI-M, V. Ramamoorthy, CPI-ML leader Balasubramaniam also participated in the protest. The Coimbatore City Police later removed the protestors, around 180 including 10 women.
Special Correspondent from Udhagamandalam adds:
Supporters of the CPI (M) led by the Nilgiris district secretary of the party R. Badri also staged a demonstration at Udhagamandalam on Saturday.
Police sources said that nine demonstrators were arrested.
