CHENNAI: A group of youngsters who staged a demonstration here today on Marina Beach in Chennai and in Race Course area in Coimbatore were arrested by Police. The protest was to show solidarity with farmers who have been protesting in New Delhi for the past few days against implementation of the hydrocarbon project in Pudukottai and nearby districts in the state. A group of 20 former students gathered near Tiruvalluvar Statue on Marina Beach at around 2pm and they were led by the former Loyola College student Mani alias Manikadan. The agitators were holding placards and banners. Before Police personnel reached the spot the protesters shouted slogans for 10 minutes. Police took the protesters to the Marina police station. The Marina Police has registered a case and arrested the remaining 11 youths. The youth were taken to a community hall near Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore by Police. In Coimbatore a few youngsters who tried to stage a silent protest in solidarity with debt-ridden farmers in the state, were arrested in Coimbatore. Police did not give them permission to hold the protest. The general public were told by Police not to extend support to the youngsters protest and leave the area. A large posse of policemen were deployed near Marina Beach following the hashtag #Marina2.started trending on Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp. Several messages were posted by youngsters to once again assemble at the Marina beach. ]]>
