Hundreds of cadres of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), including women, courted arrested in connection with the jail bharo agitation of the party to condemn the 'foisting' of cases against the DMK leaders and also the hike in the bus fare, power tariff, milk price etc.
Over 3,000 partymen were arrested till noon from nine centres in Tiruchi district. Former Transport Minister and Tiruchi district secretary K.N. Nehru of the party led the agitation held in front of the Collectorate in Tiruchi city and courted arrest. The partymen were also arrested from centres like Manapparai, Srirangam, Tiruverambur, Thottiyam and Musiri.
Over 2,500 DMK cadre, including 28 women, were taken into custody from 11 centres in Pudukottai district, including Pudukottai, Arathangi, Iluppur, Tirumayam, Gandarvakottai. While the former Union Minister and senior leader of the party S. Regupathi was arrested in Aranthangi, the Pudukottai district secretary of the DMK, Periannan Arasu was arrested in Pudukottai town.
Over 1,000 cadre were arrested till noon from five centres in Karur district - Karur town, Aravakurichi, Krishnarayapuram, Kadavur and Kulithalai. The DMK men came in batches and courted arrest in front of the taluk offices in all these centres.
About 3,000 DMK men courted arrest in ten centres in Thanjavur district on Wednesday, including two centres in Thanjavur town. While former Minister S. N. M. Ubayathullah was arrested in Thanjavur town, MLA s Anbazhagan and Kovi Sezhian were arrested in Kumbakonam and Tiruvidaimaruthur respectively.
DMK cadres were taken into custody from various centres in Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Ariyalur and Perambalur districts too, according to reports received here.