Malaysia frees three Hindraf leaders detained under ISA

Taiping (Malaysia), May 10 (ANI): Three Hindu Right Action Force leaders along with other 10 detainees held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Malaysia were released from the Kamunting detention camp.

With the release of the Hindraf trio of M. Manoharan, K. Vasanthakumar and P. Uthayakumar, there are no more leaders of the movement held under ISA.

Family members and supporters, who had been anticipating their release since Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein announced it on Friday, started gathering outside the camp on Saturday morning.

While Vasanthakumar and Manoharan left quietly in unmarked cars, Uthayakumar was mobbed the moment he left the camp.

Supporters in orange shirts bearing the words Makkal Sakti, defied instructions from camp officials and crowded around the car ferrying Uthayakumar who was the last to emerge from the detention centre.

On November 23, 2007, the Hindraf were arrested and charged under the Sedition Act. However, in a series of repeated arrests and releases, the courts could not prove that they had incited racial hatred. (ANI)