Chennai, July 28 : The Lignite town of Neyveli in Cuddalore disitrict of
Tamil Nadu turned violent on Friday afternoon after Rajya Sabha MP and PMK
President Dr Anbumani Ramadoss was arrested by the police following a protest
against acquisition of wetlands for expansion of the public sector Neyveli Lignite
Corporation.
At least 12 police personnel were injured in stone pelting by PMK cadres who
turned violent after Dr Anbumani, a former Union Minister, was arrested by the
police when they attempted to march towards the NLC and lay siege to it by
breaking the barricades after staging a protest demonstration.
Some of the police personnel sustained bleeding injuries in the violence that
lasted about an hour, before the situation was brought under control after lathi
charge and bursting of teargas shells.
The Chennai-Kumbakonam highway resembled a battlefield and shops and other
business establishments in Neyveli town downed their shutters, as PMK cadres,
condemning the arrest of Dr Anbumani, prevented the police from boarding him
in a vehicle, jostled with the cops, pelted stones at them and also damaged
police vehicles.
Police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the PMK cadres. As it proved ineffective,
police burst a few round of teargas shells and fired wator cannons at the protestors
to bring the situation under control.
PMK cadres clashed with the police in front of the arch gate of the NLC condemning
the arrest after the party staged a protest demonstration condemning NLC’s takeover
of acquired wetlands in the region.
Tension prevailed after the PMK cadres hurled plastic bottles and stones and damaged
police and riot control vehicles parked at the protest venue.
Even as Dr.Anbumani was being arrested, enraged PMK cadres damaged the
windscreens of police vehicles and clashed with the police. Stones were pelted
on the police and mediapersons and the agitators damaged the barricades and
placed them on the road preventing the vehicle carrying Dr.Anbumani from leaving.
Dr Anbumani blamed the police for the violence and said the PMK has been staging
the protest in a peaceful manner.
Stating that it was not an issue concerning NLC, but an issue of Tamil Nadu
and concerning the farmers livelihood, he said the PMK would never allow
forcible acquisition of farm lands and also accused the ruling DMK of acting
in favour of the PSU in the ‘forced’ acquisition of farm lands by the NLC.
Following the arrest, Dr Anbumani was later taken to a marriage hall.
Inspector General of Police Kannan, who visited the spot, said the situation
was now brought under control.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Director General of Police Shankar Jiwal is rushing
to the spot for an on the spot assessment of the situation, police sources
told UNI.
Initial reports said, at least 300 PMK cadres were arrested for indulging in
violence.