MDMK leader arrested for inflamatory speech

Chennai, Aug 19 (UNI) Police today arrested a Marumalarchi DMK leader for making inflamatory remarks against the Tamil Nadu and Central Governments during his speech at a fasting venue, organised by the Dailt Panthers of India (DPI) to condemn the killing of 61 school girls at Mulaitheevu in Sri Lanka by the Sri Lankan Army on August 17.

Police said, the arrested Manimaran MDMK's South Chennai District Secretary in his speech supported the LTTE's demand of separate Tamil Eelam and criticised the Tamil Nadu political leaders for their dual role in the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.

At one stage, he even said that for the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils, the MDMK cadres would not hesitate to carry AK 47 rifles.

''Even the MDMK cadres would not hesitate to agitate demanding a separate Tamil Nadu'' he said.

On information about the arrest, a group of MDMK volunteers staged a road roko in front of the Nungambakkam Police Station on the busy Valluvar Kottam High Road.

However, a police party rushed to the spot and forcibly removed the agitators.

Police said, they were on look out for the DPI's Chennai District Treasurer Kadamban who also made some inflamatory remarks by saying that they would remove Tamil Nadu from the India Map and would fight for the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils under the leadership of DPI General Secretary Thol Thirumavalavan.

Meanwhile, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko strongly condemned the arrest of Manimaran and alleged they would face the fascist repression of anti-Tamil Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

In a statement here today, Mr Vaiko alleged that the present DMK regime was anti-Tamil as it denied permission for World Tamils Federation to hold a conference at Salem recently and arrested Mr Manimaran who tried to organise a public meeting in support of Sri Lankan Tamils here on August 21.

Mr Vaiko said at any cost the MDMK's public meeting would be held as scheduled.

UNI RV AJ MQA BST2000