350 held in TN for anti-I-Day protests

About 350 activists of various organisations were arrested when they attempted to take out black flag processions and burn effigies of "Indian Independence" at various places in Tamil Nadu on Friday.

According to the police, the arrested belonged to the Bharatiya Republican Party (BRP), the People's Art and Literary Association (PALA), the Dalit Panthers of India (DPI), the Immanuel Federation (IF), the Hindu Makkal Munnani (HMM) and the Jehad Committee (JC).

A report said that more than 100 people were arrested in Madurai rural and 69 in Madurai town when they attempted to burn effigies of "Indian Independence", protesting against the celebrations.

The police said 60 dalits belonging to the BRP were arrested in Salem when they attempted to take out a black flag procession. Fifteen activists of the PALA, who decried "fake Independence", were arrested in Tiruchirapalli.

The police said about 20 families, which owed allegiance to the IF, hoisted black flags atop their houses and wore black badges in Sivaganga. They said dalits were yet to get freedom from "oppressive forces".

Tension prevailed in Thiruparakundram, near Madurai, when HMM activists attempted to hoist the tri-colour atop the hill near a mosque. Twenty people were arrested in this connection.

At Cuddalore in South Arcot district, about DPI 50 volunteers were taken into custody when they attempted to burn effigies of "Independence".

In Madras, two JC supporters were arrested in connection with hoisting of black flags atop their houses, the police added.

UNI