Cadre of the Communist Party of India (CPI) were arrested as a preventive measure in the city and elsewhere in the district on Wednesday after they attempted to indulge in picketing agitations urging the State government to withdraw the bus fares hike and the increase in milk price.
The party also urged the Centre to withdraw its decision to allow foreign direct investment in the retail sector. A group of CPI members led by the party's national council member A.M. Gopu assembled at the Khadi Kraft junction to proceed with their agitation.
The party functionaries raised slogans in support of their demands and were arrested after they sat on the road. The CPI cadre were also arrested at Manapparai, Puthanatham, Manachanallur, Tiruverambur, Vaiyampatti, Thottiyam, Thathiengarpet, Thuraiyur, Lalgudi, Jeeyapuram and Musiri. All those arrested were later released.
Thanjavur
About 2,500 cadre of the Communist Party of India (CPI) were arrested in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur district on Wednesday when they tried to picket State government offices and stop buses, protesting the hike in milk price and the bus fare and the proposed hike in electricity tariff. In Tiruvarur district, protest was held at 11 centres, and nearly 2,000 functionaries, including Thiruthuraipoondi MLA Ulaganathan, who participated in the agitation at Thiruthuraipoondi, were arrested.
Nagapattinam
Over 1,100 CPI cadre, including women, were taken into custody when they picketed at 11 places in the district. In Nagapattinam town, the members staged an agitation in front of the taluk office.
Pudukottai
Over 500 cadre courted arrest during road roko protest at 10 centres in the district. Led by S. P. Muthukumaran, MLA, the functionaries halted the buses at the bus stand in the town. Similar protest was held at Gandarvakottai, Aranthangi, Alangudi, Avudaiyarkoil, Karambakudi, Keeranur, Tirumayam, Ponnamaravathi and Annavasal.
