Arappor Iyakkam treasurer arrested for raising issue with illegal temple construction granted bail

CHENNAI: Nakkeeran Pugazhendhi, treasurer of NGO Arappor Iyakkam, was released on bail on Saturday evening. Nakkeeran who was arrested at his residence on Thursday, was taken to the Central Crime Branch (CCB) before being produced before the Magistrate, Poonamallee and remanded in Puzhal Prison.

Arappor had raised an issue over an illegal temple construction by PMK partymen. Nakkeeran was working with Ramapuram residents for a year to solve local issues.

“This was an unlawful arrest and we will challenge it,” said Nakkeeran. “We have already filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Police and he has assured us that he will look into the matter. These kinds of arrests have become very common now and it is absolutely unacceptable in a democracy. So we will press charges. We will not bow down before oppressive tactics and will continue to fight corruption in all fronts.”

Arappor Iyakkam claimed that the arrest was a means to intimidate and was a misuse of power by police to shield PMK, AIADMK and DMK partymen. They said it was a move to prevent the NGO from fighting against encroachment of land to build a temple obstructing public road.

Recently, at a public meeting held by the NGO, Nakkeeran spoke about the issue and the involvement of the PMK and DMK party members in the same. After this, an FIR was filed by a PMK member alleging that the activist had made derogatory comments over his caste and assaulted him.

The PMK member, Kumar, slapped the following charges on Nakkeeran in his FIR under sections 142 (Unlawful Assembly), 146 (Rioting), 294-B (obscene song, ballad or words in or near any public place, 323 (for voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (Intent to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (1) (Criminal Intimidation).