Vaiko condemns arrest of party functionary

Chennai, Mar 21 (UNI) MDMK General Secretary Vaiko today condemned the arrest of Party Organising Secretary Seema Basheer and described it as an act of ''political vendetta'' by the ruling DMK.

Mr Basheer surrendered before the Tamil Nadu ''Q'' branch police last evening after it made a vain bid to arrest him for questioning in connection with the alleged hawala transactions and supply of arms to the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

In a statement here, Mr Vaiko said the arrest of Basheer and foisting cases against him was an attempt by the DMK Government to tarnish the image of the MDMK.

Stating that the MDMK would continue to support the cause of Eelam Tamils, he said his party would not indulge in any illegal activities in the state and would not take recourse to violence.

Alleging the government had used police force to foist cases against Basheer, he said the party would legally face it.

UNI