35 Congress workers, including two MLAs arrested

Chennai, Aug 24 (UNI) At least 35 Congress workers, including two Legislators, were arrested when they attempted to lay siege to AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence for her critical statement against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the Indo-US Nuclear deal.

Police told UNI that an effigy of Ms Jayalalithaa was also burnt in R K Nagar area in North Chennai, following which more than 15 Congress workers, including two women, were arrested.

Police officials confirmed the arrest of Legislators M K Vishnu Prasad, son of TNCC President M Krishnasamy, and Arul Anbarasu, son of former Union Minister Era Anbarasau.

The Legislators, along with 20 of their supporters, attempted to lay siege to Ms Jayalalithaa's residence when they were prevented by AIADMK men.

Acting on information that Congress workers were planning to stage a protest demonstration in front of Ms Jayalalithaa's house, AIADMK volunteers, including MLAs P K Sekar Babu, V P Kalairajan, Ms Badar Sayeed, former Minister D Jayakumar, arrived at the scene and prevented them from laying siege.

Tension prevailed in the area as both the AIADMK and Congress workers heckled and jostled each other. At one stage, they virtually came to blows and the Congress leaders were chased away by AIADMK men.

The AIADMK leaders argued with the police that the Congress leaders were resorting to illegal agitation and demanded their arrest.

Police tried to pacify both the groups, before arresting the Congress men.

In a related incident, about 15 Congress workers burnt Ms Jayalalithaa's effigy in North Chennai, leading to their arrest.

UNI