Serial blasts: BJP workers arrested for trying to light lamps

Coimbatore, Feb 14 (PTI): Over 250 workers of BJP and someHindu outfits were arrested today when they attempted to lightlamps at R S Puram area here to pay homage to those who diedin the serial blasts on this day in 1998 during the visit ofBJP leader L K Advani.

R S Puram was the spot where Advani was scheduled to addressan election rally. The serial blasts claimed 58 lives and leftover 200 injured.

The workers,including 30 women,led by BJP state secretaries,G K S Selvakumar and Vanathi Srinivasan, defied a ban to takeout processions or hold any meeting in the area. As they weremarching to the area to light lamps, they were arrested,police said.

Meanwhile, five workers of Hanuman Sena, a Hindu Outfit,tonsured their head at a temple to protest against thekilling, police added.

Security was tightened across the city, with about 2,000police personnel deployed to meet any eventualities in view ofthe blasts anniversary. Security arrangements were monitoredconstantly through surveillance cameras, police said.