Date:27/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/27/stories/2008042754410400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Karunanidhi should have avoided Madurai visit: Jayalalithaa

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa on Saturday said Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi should have avoided his visit to Madurai, taking into consideration the feeling of the people who were protesting against the vandalising of the statue of Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar.

In a statement here, Ms Jayalalithaa condemned the arrest of All India Mooventher Munnetra Kazhagam leader N. Sethuraman, who had planned a black flag protest against the Chief Minister. “Showing black flag is an accepted form of protest in a democracy.

The arrest of Dr. Sethuraman and others in various parts of the State is condemnable,” she said.

Demanding the immediate release of Dr. Sethuraman and others she said the government should take steps to ensure that such incidents did not recur.