Cong. workers protest againstBedi, held

The police on Tuesday arrested around 90 Congress workers who tried to stage a dharna when Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi visited the historical Aayi pond at Muthurayarpalayam.

Under the leadership of R.K.D. Arumugham, the workers gathered near the lake and raised slogans against Ms. Bedi for her attempt to stop free rice scheme in villages not certified for cleanliness.

They raised slogans asking the Lt. Governor to go back from the spot. Ms. Bedi was on a tour to the area to inspect the pond, which is facing extinction because of rampant encroachments.

The police stopped the workers from blocking her convoy and subsequently arrested the Congress members.

The Congress and its alliance partners decided to intensify the agitation against Ms. Bedi for her attempt to stop free rice scheme to villages not having cleanliness certificate from the authorities concerned.

The Pradesh Congress Committee had directed the party cadre to stage protest against Ms. Bedi during her weekend visits, the party sources said.