DMK cadre stage protest, youth assaulted in Tirunelveli
DMK cadres staged widespread protests and road blockades across Tamil Nadu to condemn the arrest of Udhayanidhi Stalin. The demonstrations led to traffic disruptions and at least one reported altercation between protesters and a commuter.
Why it matters
The protests demonstrate the mobilization capacity of the DMK and the public impact of the ongoing political conflict.
Condemning the arrest of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK functionaries staged a road roko at the busy Vannarpet Junction in Tirunelveli on Tuesday, disrupting traffic for some time. During the protest, a youth who objected to the agitation was allegedly assaulted by some of the protestors, prompting police intervention.
The protest was organised following the arrest of Mr. Udhayanidhi in connection with a complaint of making misogynistic remarks at a DMK demonstration in Thanjavur over the Tamil Nadu government’s handling of the Cauvery water issue.
The agitation was led by Palayamkottai MLA M. Abdul Wahab, former Tirunelveli MLA N. Maalairaja, senior party functionary S.V. Suresh and other DMK leaders, who blocked traffic at the Vannarpet Junction on Tuesday forenoon.
The road blockade led to heavy traffic congestion on the Thiruvananthapuram High Road, leaving commuters, including those travelling to hospitals and other destinations, stranded for some time.
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