CPM cadre protesting 8-lane expressway held

CPM had announced a seven-day march from Tiruvannamalai to Salem under the title ‘my land, my right’ to register their opposition to the project. The protest was announced after a farmer in Chengam committed suicide as the special project DRO continued survey of the land despite opposition. Several farmers and outfits also announced their support to the protest.

The protest began with CPM cultural teams from various places performing songs explaining the disadvantages of the proposed project. However, the police who refused permission for the march, had put up barricades at the venue. As the crowd started swelling, police asked them to disperse.

However, the cadre led by CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan stayed put which resulted in heated arguments between them and the police. Following this, police arrested 395 cadre, including Balakrishnan. DMK working president MK Stalin termed the ban against the protest as against the democracy. He also added that the DMK supports the CPM’s move to continue the protest without permission.