Jaya demands immediate release of AIADMK functionaries

Chennai, Oct 25 (UNI) AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today demanded immediate release of party MLA Senthil Balaji and other party functionaries, who were arrested by the police in Karur last evening.

Condemning the police action, Ms Jayalalithaa, in a statement here, alleged that the arrest of the MLA and foisting cases against him under non-bailable charges showed the DMK government's autocratic style of functioning.

The police should withdraw the cases foisted against Mr Balaji and other office bearers and release them immediately, she said.

She alleged that after the DMK came to power, the police on one pretext or the other, were foisting cases against the volunteers of the AIADMK to crush the Opposition.

She said Mr Balaji, who intervened on seeing police questioning a party functionary, was abused by the woman police officer, ignoring the government order, which insisted that the government servants should give due respect to the people's representatives.

Ms Jayalalithaa alleged that the Karur police was harsh on the AIADMK volunteers last evening, in view of Local Administration Minister M K Stalin's visit to the district today.

UNI