Opposition slams TN government on Chennai-Salem expressway arrests

New Delhi, June 20

Opposition parties on Wednesday criticised the state government under the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK) for “indiscriminate and arbitrary arrests” of people protesting land acquisition for an eight-lane green corridor between Chennai and Salem.

The DMK has warned the state government of statewide protests if the arrests continued, reports said.  Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Hasaan has called the arrests “unacceptable”.

"To treat anyone talking about environment as a crime is not acceptable. This concern should be there among all," he told reporters when asked about his views on the raging controversy over the proposed expressway connecting the two cities.

More than 20 people, activists among them, were arrested for protesting the proposed project on Monday. Stalin on Tuesday tweeted a photo of an old woman who was arrested, asking if this was a “hunting ground”.

The state government action comes within a month of the Thootukudi protests that left 13 people dead in police action and drew harsh criticism. — Agencies