Salem social activist Piyush Manush arrested

He was ‘instigating’ people against Salem airport expansion and 8-lane green corridor projects along with actor Mansoor Ali Khan, say police.

Salem 25/07/2016: Story by SPS: Activist Piyush Manush (second right) along with his family members after lodging complaint at Hasthampatti police station in the city on the alleged assault on him at Central prison, in Salem, Tamil Nadu on Monday. Photo: E. Lakshmi Narayanan

The Salem district police late on Monday evening arrested social activist Piyush Manush on the charge of instigating people against the Salem airport expansion project and the eight-lane green corridor project.

Police sources said Mr. Piyush had launched a ‘Saleme Kural Kodu’ movement and was coordinating with the people of villages surrounding the airport to raise their voice against the airport expansion project. He had organised a few meetings of the local people in this connection.

Police said actor Mansoor Ali Khan made a provocative speech in Thumbipadi, Pottiyapuram and Sikkanampatti villages on May 3, threatening to attack officials if they took steps for acquiring farm lands for the eight-lane project. Since Mr. Piyush had taken the actor to these villages, the Theevattipatti police registered case against him as well as against the actor.

Mr. Piyush is accused No. 1 in the case and the actor is accused No. 2, police sources said.

Sources said Mr. Piyush was arrested under Sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot); 189 (threat of injury to public servant); 506 (ii) (criminal intimidation) IPC and 7 (1) Criminal Law Amendment Act.

Senior police officials questioned Mr. Piyush at the Omalur police station, the sources said.