Date:07/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/07/stories/2007060708500600.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

AIADMK members assemble following raid rumour

Staff Reporter

Claim Central agency planning search operations in Jayalalithaa's residence

STAGING A SIT-IN: AIADMK MLAs and workers assemble before the residence of party general secretary Jayalalithaa in Chennai on Wednesday. — Photo: K. V. Srinivasan

CHENNAI: Hundreds of members belonging to the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) assembled in front of party general secretary Jayalalithaa's residence at Poes Garden here after hearing rumours that some officers had been instructed to conduct a search operation on Wednesday.

A large number of functionaries including women cadres shouted slogans against the Central and State governments for "victimising" their leader.

"We have information that some officers from a Central agency have been directed to conduct searches in our leader's residence. In a bid to express our protest we have assembled here and will not leave the place," they said.

According to police sources, about 800 persons, including former Minister D. Jayakumar, party presidium chairman E. Madhusoodhanan, senior leader Sulochana Sampath, MLAs Sekar Babu, Badar Sayeed, V.P. Kalairajan and K. Srinivasan arrived early in the morning with their supporters.

They dispersed at about 5 p.m.