Chennai:
PMK founder-leader S Ramadoss was arrested on Tuesday from Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district for defying prohibitory orders and attempting to hold a protest. A court later sent him to judicial custody for 15 days.
Dr Ramadoss' arrest led to tension in the area with workers of his party, the Pattali Makkal Katchi, allegedly vandalising buses in Villupuram and Cuddalore districts.
Dr Ramadoss was attempting to lead the protest to demand an inquiry in the April 25 violence at Marakkanam near Chennai during a PMK-backed youth conference. According to the state government, three PMK workers died in accidents on their way back. Dr Ramadoss who is mobilising an anti-Dalit front alleged them to be murders and blamed it on Viduthalai Chiruthaigal, a party by Dalits. PMK men also allegedly set fire to a few Dalit houses at Marakkanam.
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa categorically blamed the violence on the PMK and warned of tough action against those instigating communal clashes.
In Chennai, police arrested PMK legislator Guru for violating the conditions levied while giving permission to hold the youth conference last Thursday.
Interestingly, it was Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav who inaugurated the conference at a function organised in Chennai on April 22 as he could not make it to the conference on the 25th.
Meanwhile, after the violence, bus services were suspended to many areas, including Chennai.