Desilting of lake by AIADMK leads to protests by DMK

Desilting of a lake at Kongapuram town by farmers,reportedly owing allegiance to ruling AIADMK,a day ahead of DMK leader M K Stalin's proposed visit to oversee the work by his party cadres, led to protests by the latter in the district today.
Over 800 DMK workers were arrested from various parts of the district for staging road rokos, protesting against the action of the farmers.
The DMK leader also condemned the arrests.
Police have not yet granted permission to Stalin to visit the area.
Workers of rival parties had clashed over the issue yesterday, forcing the district administration to stop the desilting work for the day.

DMK workers they had desilted part of the lake and strengthened its bunds together with some farmers.

They alleged that farmers owing allegiance to ruling AIADMK removed the silt by using earth movers, resulting in damage to the bunds.
DMK workers reportedly found these farmers again removing the silt this morning despite an assurance from officials that it would not be done, resulting in the protests.
Police said that over 100 DMK cadres, led by it's Salem West District secretary S R Sivalingam, blocked the Salem-Coimbatore national highway near Magudanchavadi and were taken into custody, for causing traffic disruptions.
Similar protests were held in front of Collector's office and 11 other places including Kolathur, Mettur, Athur, Kengavalli and Vazhapadi areas in the district, leading to arrest of over 800 persons, police said.

Stalin is scheduled to reach Salem via Coimbatore tomorrow to review the desilting work and also participate in the human chain protest, seeking exemption to Tamil Nadu from NEET.