Despite warning from the City Police, the DMK and its allies staged a protest condemning the Coimbatore Corporation for the revision of property tax and awarding water distribution to Suez India Pvt. Ltd. here on Thursday.
The protest was led by N. Karthik, Singanallur MLA and DMK’s Coimbatore urban district in-charge. Hundreds of protesters from the parties in the Secular Progressive Alliance, who were dressed in black and carrying black flags, gathered in front of the Coimbatore South Taluk office. Scores of police personnel were also present at the protest site.
On Wednesday, the City Police clarified that no permission was given to Mr. Karthik as the Madras High Court provided a stay order for a bandh called by DMK and its allies on September 27. The issue is yet to be heard by the court, the police contended in a statement, adding that “strict legal action” will be taken against those who proceed to protest.
Slogans raised
As Mr. Karthik and the protesters raised slogans against the corporation and the State government, the police proceeded to stop the protest, resulting in a confrontation between the protesters and the police.
Nonetheless, the protesters were removed from the site and were made to board police vehicles and buses stationed at the site.
Addressing mediapersons, Mr. Karthik urged the corporation to withdraw the property tax revision – 50% for houses and 100% for commercial and industrial establishments – and to cancel the contract with Suez. He asserted that the DMK-led alliance protest will continue till the government heeds to these demands.
Speaking to The Hindu before boarding the police vehicle, Mr. Karthik alleged that Suez has faced many complaints overseas and yet the government signed the contract for a period of 26 years. “The people (of Coimbatore) are in a state of stock,” he claimed, adding that the DMK will continue to protest “on behalf of the people.”
Police said that nearly 500 men and 100 women were removed and were lodged in two halls at Peelamedu and Sivananda Colony.
As the protest took place without police permission, further action will be taken based on the decisions of higher authorities, officers said.
