MDMK workers detained

MDMK leader Vaiko and several party volunteers were detained when they attempted to march towards the airport here to stage a black flag demonstration against the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over India's support to a Commonwealth meet to he held in Colombo in November.
Police said about 150 MDMK men, including the party General Secretary were detained when they insisted on proceeding to the airport to stage the protest.
The Prime Minister arrived here by a special aircraft enroute to Thirumayam in Pudukottai district to dedicate to the nation two projects of BHEL.
The demonstration was planned to protest against the alleged "betrayal" of Tamils by the Centre by actively involving itself in the conduct of Commonwealth summit. They also protested against the "failure" of the Centre to protect Tamil Nadu fishermen from the attacks by Sri Lankan Navy.

Later talking to reporters Vaiko said "We wanted to hold the black flag demonstration only to urge India not to participate in the conference from November 15 to 17".
"If India participated in the conference, then all the struggles in support of Sri Lankan Tamils would go waste and meaningless" he said.