Vaiko, Other Leaders Arrested for Protesting against Rajapaksha’s Visit
MDMK supremo Vaiko and leaders of CPI and VSK have been arrested in Chennai while they were trying to stage demonstration to protest Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to the country, said media reports.
Rajapaksha is slated to arrive in India today on a three-day visit during which he will call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister SM Krishna.
Leaders who were detained include VSK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, CPI State Secretary D Pandian, Tamil Nationals Movement leader P Nedumaran and actors Seeman and T Rajender, reports said.
Police said that cadres of Sri Lankan Tamils Movement and CPI were held as they attempted to stage black flag protests near Nageswara Rao Park and proceed towards the Sri Lanakan Deputy High Commissioner’s office, said reports.
Sri Lankan Tamils Movement is formed by several pro-Tamil parties, including MDMK, and is known for its pro-LTTE stand.
Addressing the protesters, Vaiko said that thousands of minority Tamil civilians were killed towards the end of the war between the Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE last year, reports said.
He also alleged that Rajapaksa was responsible for killings of many innocent Tamils and demanded that he be tried in an international court of law, said reports.
Over 200 cadres belonging to VCK, headed by Thol Thirumavalvan, were detained as they tried to stage a protest near Memorial Hall, reports said.
(Based on internet reports)
