Hundreds of DMK workers held in western, southern districts

DMK functionaries and workers court arrest during the party's “fill-the-jails”, in Udhagandalam on Wednesday. Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy

More than 6,000 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam workers were arrested in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Nilgiris districts as part of a “fill-the-jails” protest against All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government for “foisting cases” against its cadres.

Former ministers, Pongalur N. Palanisamy, M.P. Swaminathan and D. Ramachandran courted arrest in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Udhagamandalam respectively, police said.

Nearly 2,300 workers were arrested in Coimbatore, when they staged a demonstration in front of the District Collectorate.

Similar protests were held in Pollachi, Mettupalayam, Kinathukadavu, Sulur in the district, police said.

In Tirupur, Mr. Swaminathan led the protest, where 700 workers were arrested, while Mr. Ramachandran led the protestors in Udhgamandalam in Nilgiris district.

In Madurai about 3,300 DMK men, including former Assembly Speaker Sedaptti Muthiah, former Mayor Kuzhandaivelu were arrested.

In Dindigul 3,158 DMK workers were arrested, including R, Chakrapani former whip of the party and C.V. Krishnan MLA.

A Ramanthapuram report said 1,800 persons including former minister Suba Thangavelan and Rithish Kumar MP were arrested.

In Kumbakonam, about 500 DMK workers who took part in the protest were arrested, police said.