As many as 23 persons belonging to Dalit organisations were held by the police when they attempted to stage demonstrations against the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder- leader Dr S Ramadoss who chaired a meeting of intermediate caste groups here on Saturday.
Police said eight members of Tamilpuligal, a Dalit organisation, were arrested when they were staged a protest near the meeting venue on Thiruchengode-Namakkal Road here. They were shouting slogans and waving black flags.
Tension prevailed for a while as they were chased away by Pattali Makkal Katchi partymen who threw stones at them. However, nobody was injured in the incident, the police added.
Meanwhile, the police picked up 15 persons belonging to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), who attempted to stage a demonstration against PMK chief at the Rasipuram bus terminus. All those who were arrested earlier in the day by the police were released in the evening.