CPI activists detained for bid to protest against Obama visit

Thirty one activists of the Communist Party of India (CPI) were today detained for trying to stage protests in front of the US Consulate at Begumpet here against US President Barack Obama's visit.

Police foiled the CPI activists' attempts to march towards the US Consulate to hold demonstrations against Obama, who is on a three-day visit beginning tomorrow, a senior police officer said.

"Thirty one CPI protesters, including its leader Narayana, were taken into preventive custody and they were later let off," Assistant Commissioner of Police (Begumpet Division) M Ganesh Reddy said.

Holding red flags, the protesters, including members of Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist), raised slogans and carried placards that read 'Obama Go Back'.
 

Earlier, activists of CPI, Communist Party of India (Marxist), SUCI, Forward Block, RSP and CPI (ML-Liberation) also held a protest here.