'DMK leaders' arrests being used as diversionary tactics'

Charging the ruling AIADMK with using arrest of party leaders under "imaginary charges" as diversionary tactics to draw attention away from issues concerning people, DMK today announced it would hold 'jail bharo' agitation on July 4 in protest against this.

An emergency meeting of the party executive held under the leadership of party chief M Karunanidhi resolved that DMK leaders were being targeted for "political vendetta."

"With issues affecting people such as prices, corruption, inter-state river water issues rising out of lack of cordial relations with neighbouring states and power cut, people have realised that arrest of DMK leaders is being used as a diversionary tactic," the party said.

Land grabbing cases,under which many DMK leaders have been arrested,was not extended to the earlier 2001-06 AIADMK regime and DMK leaders were held under imaginary charges, it alleged.

The executive particularly took note of the detention of former minister and Salem strongman 75 year-old Veerapandi S Arumugam under the stringent Goondas Act and said there was no consideration for even his age.

"Condemning all this, the executive has decided to hold a jail bharo agitation on july 4," the party's decision-making body said.

Many DMK leaders have been arrested, mainly under land grab charges.