The arrest of an anti-Sterlite protester triggered tension in Pandarampatti village in Thoothukudi district on Thursday as a section of residents blocked the road, demanding his immediate release.
When three persons having links with a particular organisation were distributing pamphlets with anti-Sterlite messages to students of a college at Srivaikundam on December 19, they were detained by the police. Based on the information reportedly provided by the trio during interrogation, the police nabbed anti-Sterlite protester Santhosh Raj, 22, of Pandarampatti on Thursday.
Mr. Santhosh Raj, who sustained injury during the anti-Sterlite protest on May 22, 2018, and questioned actor Rajinikanth when he met the victims at Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital, was produced before Judicial Magistrate Tamil Selvi who remanded him in judicial custody. Subsequently, he was lodged at Palayamkottai Central Prison.
Condemning his arrest, a group of Pandarampatti residents assembled at the village and staged a dharna. As they blocked vehicular traffic and raised slogans against the police, the law enforcers persuaded them to give up the agitation. However, the villagers continued their protest even after 7.45 p.m. Police personnel have been deployed at the village.
