Chittoor encounter: Vaiko en route to Andhra Pradesh detained with supporters by police

Preventing MDMK chief Vaiko from undertaking his proposed protest in neigbouring Andhra Pradesh against the recent encounter deaths, Tamil Nadu police today detained him and about 1,000 of his supporters while they were on their way to Chittoor.

"I demand the immediate arrest and slapping of murder charges against police officials responsible for the fake encounter and killing of 20 Tamils," Vaiko said.

Demanding probe by a sitting Supreme Court judge on the issue, he sought adequate compensation to the families of 20 woodcutters killed in the encounter which he termed as "fake".

He was detained along with over 1,000 party activists before he could proceed by road to Chittoor, 36 km from here in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. They were lodged in a hall and are likely to be released after some time, police said.