Massive protest against Port Development Project

Puducherry, Mar 27: The Peoples Protection Committee comprising of several political parties and organisations opposing the Port Development Project here today took out a massive procession and courted arrest.

The committee had announced the procession and picketing of the Legislative Assembly today. However, police denied permission citing the prohibitory order under Section 30 (2) of the Police Act which is in force here, and permitted them to take out the procession from the old bus stand to the Kamaraj statue junction, where they were arrested.

Over 3,000 volunteers including three Puducherry Munnetra Congress Legislators, former Legislators, Municipal Councilors were arrested and taken to the police grounds Gorimedu.

The protesters tore a banner errected for the birth day of PCC(I) President P Shanmugham at the Raja theatre junction. They also burnt xerox copies of their ration cards to register their protest.

Meanwhile, the traders of Mudaliarpet today hoisted black flags atop their shops to register their protest against the Port Development Project.

Later the three Legislators sought police permission and came to the Legislative Assembly to take part in the Budget session.

UNI