Tension gripped Muthialpet on Sunday morning following the arrest of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MLA Vaiyapuri Manikantan when he led a group of party cadre in a black flag demonstration against Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi when she visited his constituency.
The Muthialpet police, who were present in large numbers after reports surfaced about a demonstration by the MLA and his supporters during Ms. Bedi’s weekend visit to the constituency, swung into action and arrested the MLA and his supporters as the Lt Governor’s convoy passed through the area.
Superintendent of Police (North) Venketasamy said the MLA and 38 of his supporters had been taken into custody for staging the black flag demonstration. They were released a few hours after the arrest, he said.
MLA’s charge
The arrest led to tension in the area after the MLA’s supporters resisted the police action. Mr. Manikantan alleged that the police ill-treated him while exercising his “democratic right to stage a protest.”
The MLA said he wanted to apprise Ms. Bedi of the condition of drinking water in residential areas of Muthialpet. The Public Works Department had taken steps to set up a reverse osmosis plant to provide clean drinking water but it was abandoned because of “interference of a constitutional authority,” he said. “We only wanted to show Ms. Bedi the condition of drinking water available in the area. It is our democratic right to stage a protest,” he said.
The legislator said the government had started the process to set up the RO plant after consulting the elected representative.
“Why should someone else interfere in this matter?” he asked.
Later, the AIADMK MLA filed a complaint with Speaker V. Vaithilingam against the Superintendent of Police. He said the police ill-treated him and prevented him from exercising his democratic right.
The Speaker referred his complaint to the Assembly Privileges Committee headed by the Deputy Speaker.
Demonstrations against Ms. Bedi have become a frequent affair in the Union Territory after the ruling establishment escalated its fight with the titular head.
A few days ago, residents staged a protest at Soriankuppam and Pilliarkuppam while Ms Bedi undertook her weekend visit. Residents tried to raise slogans against her for not distributing free sugar and clothes during Deepavali.
