DMDK chief Vijayakanth, wife arrested, released

Mr Vijayakanth was arrested by police near CMBT in Koyambedu for forming a human chain without permission, as part of the anti-liquor protests being held across the state following the death of Gandhian Sasi Perumal on July 31 in Marthandam in Kanyakumari district.

Traffic on busy Jawaharlal Nerhu Salai between SAF Sports Village and Koyambedu junction came to a halt when police arrested Mr Vijayakanth.

His wife Premalatha was arrested near Central while his brother-in-law L.K .Sudhish was detained at Anna arch. Altogether 800 persons were arrested, said police. After the police denied permission for the human chain citing disruption of traffic on arterial EVR Periyar Salai, DMDK moved Madras High Court in vain. However, without permission, DMDK went ahead with human chain protest. While DMDK leaders including six MLAs and 80 women were detained, other party cadres were chased away by lath wielding police.

Mr Vijayakanth told reporters that his party was holding human chain protest seeking prohibition in public interest. "If the police want to arrest us or even remand us, let them do it. We will continue to protest against liquor," he said before police detained him. Pointing to the state government's announcement of Rs 7 lakh compensation for family of Tasmac employee Selvam who was killed when liquor shop was set in fire, he wondered why the government did not announce similar compensation to the family of Gandhian Sasi Perumal.

DMDK youth wing leader L. K. Sudhish said if his party was voted to power, the first signature by Vijayakanth after becoming chief minister would be on the file for bringing total prohibition in the state. "Human chain protest organised by the party is a big success as over 20,000 cadres lined up between Koyambedu and Central despite denial of permission by police. More number of women and children turned up for the protest," he told DC.