DMK cadre attacking the public when the public try to cross the road roko venue at Vannarpettai in Tirunelveli.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Condemning the arrest of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK functionaries staged a road roko at the busy Vannarpet Junction in Tirunelveli on Tuesday, disrupting traffic for some time. During the protest, a youth who objected to the agitation was allegedly assaulted by some of the protestors, prompting police intervention.
The protest was organised following the arrest of Mr. Udhayanidhi in connection with a complaint of making misogynistic remarks at a DMK demonstration in Thanjavur over the Tamil Nadu government’s handling of the Cauvery water issue.
The agitation was led by Palayamkottai MLA M. Abdul Wahab, former Tirunelveli MLA N. Maalairaja, senior party functionary S.V. Suresh and other DMK leaders, who blocked traffic at the Vannarpet Junction on Tuesday forenoon.
The road blockade led to heavy traffic congestion on the Thiruvananthapuram High Road, leaving commuters, including those travelling to hospitals and other destinations, stranded for some time.
According to eyewitnesses, an argument broke out when a youth travelling on a scooter from Tirunelveli to Palayamkottai requested the protestors to allow him to pass. The altercation allegedly escalated, with some protestors assaulting him and pushing his two-wheeler to the ground. Police personnel intervened and escorted the youth to safety.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Saravanan and other officers brought the situation under control. Police detained 132 protestors, including 12 women, after which traffic resumed.
DMK Former Minister P. Geetha Jeevan led the party cadre staging a road roko in front of Anna bus stand in Thoothukudi on Tuesday, condemning the arrest of their party leader Udayanidhi Stalin.
| Photo Credit:
N. RAJESH
Elsewhere, former Speaker M. Appavu led a road roko in Valliyoor, where DMK cadres courted arrest. In Thoothukudi, former Minister P. Geetha Jeevan led a similar protest in front of the Anna Bus Stand, following which police detained 76 DMK cadres.
Similar demonstrations were also held in Tenkasi and Kanniyakumari districts. The protestors were detained by the police and later released in the evening.
Published – August 04, 2026 09:57 pm IST
