Cadre of various organisations and political parties took to the streets in Tiruchi and neighbouring Ariyalur and Pudukottai districts on Monday condemning the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa who arrived in the capital to take part in the swearing-in of Mr. Narendra Modi.
The protests were in the forms of demonstrations, burning of effigies, and attempted rail rokos.
Effigies of Mr. Rajapaksa were set afire at three places: near the Periyar statue close to central bus stand, Manapparai, and Musiri towns.
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Attempts by members of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Makkal Marumalarchi Peravai to indulge in rail roko agitations at Tiruchi Junction were foiled by the police personnel.
Holding black flags and their organisation flags, a group of SDPI members led by the party’s district secretary S.S.Rahmathullah proceeded towards the Tiruchi railway junction .
Police personnel deployed at the spot and arrested them. Later, a section of members of Makkal Marumalarchi Peravai were arrested after they marched towards the station to stage a rail roko stir.
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A group of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members set afire an effigy of Mr. Rajapaksa at Manapparai and staged a demonstration following which they were held.
Cadre of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi were arrested after they burnt an effigy of Mr. Rajapaksa at Musiri.
Members of the Makkal Kalai Ilakiya Kazhagam staged a demonstration near the Khadi Kraft here. The ‘Puratchikara Maanavar Ilaignar Munnani’ members set afire an effigy of Mr. Rajapaksa near the Periyar Statue here while staging a demonstration.
In neighbouring Ariyalur district, a group of advocates were held after they staged a protest in front of the Chennai-Guruvayur express for few minutes after the train stopped at Ariyalur railway station.
In Pudukottai town, demonstrations were organised by members of the Naam Tamilar Katchi and All India Youth Federation and All India Students’ Federation. THANJAVUR
Cadre of Thamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam staged a demonstration at Abraham Pandithar road here against Rajapaksa’s visit. Cadres of Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam, Ulaga Thamizhar Peramaippu, and Thamizh Desa Poduvudamai Katchi also staged demonstrations against the visit. NAGAPATTINAM
A railroko attempted by a fringe Tamil outfits against the visit was foiled by the police at Mayilduthurai railway station on Monday.
A group of 28 men, owing allegiance to Tamil Viduthalai Puligal Katchi, were intercepted outside the Mayiladuthurai railway station, after they attempted to block the Tirunelveli passenger at forenoon.
Similarly, cadre of Socialist Democratic Party of India were secured here outside Nagapattinam railway station after they attempted to enter into the station to block the Karaikal-Ernakulam Express on Monday evening. Over 40 men were held.
The cadre of CPI(ML), led by district secretary Gunasekaran staged a demonstration at Mayiladuthurai.