The arrest of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) leader Vijayakant and party workers in Chennai after they tried to stage a black flag demonstration against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the Mullaperiyar dam issue sparked protests here on Monday.
Led by the district secretary of the DMDK, S.Selvaraj, about 28 slogan shouting functionaries and cadres of the party attempted to stage a picketing demonstration. The police rounded them up at the Independence Square and removed them to the Boys Club.
Speaking to The Hindu, police sources said that similar demonstrations were held in various parts of the district including Coonoor, Kotagiri, Masinagudy, Pandhalur and Gudalur. Totally 184 persons including four women were arrested in the district.
They were released in the evening.
The residents of Kattabettu on the Ooty-Kotagiri road organised a public meeting to condemn the stand of the Kerala government in the issue. A demonstration was also held in Bitherkad. Meanwhile the Naam Tamilar Katchi has announced that a demonstration would be staged at Nadugani bordering the Nilgiris and Kerala on Tuesday. The founder of NTK, Seeman is expected to lead the demonstration.
