170 arrested in India during protest against calendar with MR’s image
January 20, 2011 11:36 am
More than 170 demonstrators belonging to various political parties have been arrested in Udumalpet, India in nearby Tirupur district for staging a protest against a Sainik school distributing calendars to students featuring a photograph of Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Police said the protesters were led by Periyar DravidaKazhakam (PDK) general secretary, K Ramakrishnan. They were demanding that the school in Amaravathi, 20 km from Udumalpet, immediately withdraw the calander and also take back the ones already issued to the students.
A large number of policemen had been deployed in the town following PDK’’s announcement about a week ago that it would launch an agitation if the school, run by the Defense Ministry, did not stop issuing the controversial calendars.
The demonstration was organised by the PDK and political parties such as MDMK, PMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi andNaam Tamizhar Iyakkam and fringe outfits like Adi Tamilar Peravai had extended support, police said.
Adequate security was also provided at the
school, they added., PTI reports.
