500 Workers of Islamic Party Arrested in Tamil Nadu

May 9, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Thaindian News

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/500-workers-of-islamic-party-arrested-in-tamil-nadu_10046881.html

About 500 workers of the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) attempting to pray in a disused 200-year-old mosque inside the fort here were arrested Friday, Vellore District Collector D.P. Yadav said. “Over 2,000 police personnel were pressed into service under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General T.P. Sundamurthy and Superintendent N. Arivuselvam. Today’s attempt at a protest namaz was peaceful. As the TMMK volunteers courted arrest, they indicated that today’s event was only a dress rehearsal for something bigger,” Yadav said.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had refused permission for Friday prayers at the mosque. These were scheduled for 12.30 p.m. following a week-long TMMK call to all Muslims in Tamil Nadu to congregate here to offer worship “and claim their birthright”.