Activists held for bid to stage anti-HC protest, Thanjai tense

 The movement had organised a mega rally against hydrocarbon project from Villupuram to Ramanathapuram on June 23 and had demanded the withdrawal of the projects as they said it posed an environmental threat to the Cauvery delta where permission to drill the wells was reportedly given.

However, the protests failed to create any impact on the Union government and the movement had even asked the State government to pass a resolution in the Assembly.

Pressing the demand to pass a resolution in the House, the movement had decided to go on a hunger strike on Friday, but the police denied permission anticipating unrest in the region. However, the persident of the movement, KKR Lenin, announced that they would go ahead and organise the hunger strike as scheduled.

On Friday, the movement members led by president Lenin arrived in front of the Thanjavur District Collectorate and attempted to stage a hunger strike protest, but the police stopped them from entering the place. This led to a heated argument between the police and the members of the Movement Against Destruction.

Around that time, activists Thiagu, Thanga Shanmuga Sundaram and Ramasamy arrived at the spot one by one but the police stopped them too. This also led to a confrontation between the police and activists. Later, the police arrested all the activists, including Lenin.

A heavy posse of police was then deputed in the locality to prevent any untoward incidents.