Twenty-six individuals have been arrested in Tamil Nadu following a clash between workers of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) party and the police in Cuddalore district. The arrested individuals were produced before the court and have been sent for judicial custody. Two teenagers have been sent to the Observation House as per the law.
The clash occurred when PMK activists staged a protest against the land acquisition for the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) on Friday. During the demonstration, PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss was arrested. The protesters engaged in acts such as blocking roads, burning tires, and vandalizing public properties. As a result, 21 cases have been registered by the police.
Despite the denied permission from the police, PMK announced their intention to siege the NLC. When PMK members attempted to enter the NLC on July 28, the police intervened, leading to the protesters attacking the police with stones and water bottles. In response, the police used water cannons and tear gas to control the violence. A total of 197 PMK members, including Anbumani Ramadoss, were arrested and initially detained in Mahal before being released later in the evening. The police have registered 93 cases in connection with the incident.
Previously, PMK had announced their plan to stage a protest near the Neyveli Corporation arch gate. The land acquisition for NLC mining expansion is underway in the villages of Valayamadevi near Bhuvanagiri in Cuddalore district. The villagers, who demanded that their crops not be destroyed, saw the corporation proceed with their work regardless. Thousands of PMK cadres participated in the protest, expressing their dissatisfaction with the NLC through slogans.
