Dhivakaran, Dhinakaran supporters 'block' vehicles of I-T officials

Tension prevailed at Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu on Friday, 20 arrested.

Supporters of V. Dhivakaran standing in front of entrence at Sundarakottai in Mannargudi, Tiruvarur district on Friday.

Tension prevailed at Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu on Friday afternoon after a group of supporters of jailed AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala's brother V. Dhivakaran and and sidelined AIADMK deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran allegedly blocked the vehicles of Income Tax Department officials conducting searches.

The supporters were arrested and police personnel deployed to prevent further such incidents.

Sources said the supporters besieged the vehicles of I-T officials at the entrance of Sengamala Thayar College run by Mr. Dhivakaran.

As the officials were coming out and going inside the institution as part of their operation, the supporters reportedly wanted to know what was being carried by them inside bags, leading to some tense moments and arrest of over 20 persons.

Later, the I-T officials continued with searches at the residences of Mr. Dhivakaran at Sundarakottai and Mannai Nagar.

Searches were also carried out in neighbouring Thanjavur at the residences of T.V. Mahadevan, nephew of Sasikala, and Dhivakaran's 'aide' Rajeswaran.