TN govt orders release of all AIADMK workers

Chennai, June 9 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government today ordered the release of AIADMK workers, including MLAs, arrested on June seven for staging demonstrations across the state to condemn the alleged ''derogatory remarks'' made by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi against party General Secretary J Jayalalithaa.

Police sources said all the AIADMK cadres, arrested on specific charges of burning the copies of Tamil daily and DMK party organ ''Murasoli'' and effigies of Mr Karunanidhi, would be released by this evening.

The AIADMK workers, who had also staged 'road roko' agitations on the same day, were lodged in various prisons in the state.

On June 7, Director General of Police D Mukherjee said 12,115 AIADMK office-bearers and volunteers, including 692 women, had been arrested at various places in the state on charges of distrupting traffic, setting fire and causing damage to public properties.

Among them were 43 AIADMK legislators who were arrested for indulging in unlawful activities and they were remanded to judicial custody.

UNI