Several prominent DMK party leaders, including M.K. Stalin, T.R. Baalu, Dayanidhi Maran and Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi, were arrested during their state-wide "fill the jails" protest in Tamil Nadu Wednesday.
The DMK is opposing the arrests of its former ministers and party members allegedly under false charges. The party is also opposing the "anti-people" policies of the ruling AIADMK government in the state.
"The AIADMK, police and some newspapers supporting the ruling party are responsible for the uprising," Stalin told reporters here. He added that his party was agitating against the anti-people policies of the government such as the hike in milk price, bus fares and power tariff in the state.
DMK president M. Karunanidhi said the agitation has received a good response in the state and that he did not expect the government to change its attitude after it is over. The protest has been launched by the DMK in all the district headquarters of the state.
Police said that all those arrested were being kept at various community buildings in the state and it would be known only later in the day whether they would be jailed or released.