A total of 26 farmers were arrested for conducting and taking part in a grievance meeting against the proposed Chennai-Salem green corridor project.
The farmers association here has decided to hoist black flags on all houses on the route of the proposed highway and burn a copy of the G.O.
The problem started on Wednesday morning when members of the Tamil Nadu Vivasaigal Sangam were making preparations to hold a grievance meeting at a private hall to discuss the dangers of the proposed highway.
“We were setting up the stage when the police barged inside and dismantled everything. Sangam president T.K. Venkatesan and vice-president S. Balaraman were picked up,” said L. Alagesan, a member of the sangam and a group opposing the highway.
Subsequently, they decided to hold the meeting at the CPI(M) party office near the Tiruvannamalai Collector’s office.
“A total of 24 farmers who were heading towards the meeting venue were picked up by the police. However, many took part in the meeting,” he added.
After the meeting, the leaders of Tamil Nadu Vivasaigal Sangam met the Superintendent of Police and demanded the release of those arrested.
“This is against democracy. They cannot curtail freedom of speech in our country,” Mr. Alagesan said.
The arrested farmers were later released.