Nedumaran and supporters held for supporting tigers

Tamil nationalist leader Pazha Nedumaran and at least 164 members of his outfit were held on Saturday for staging a demonstration in support of the Tigers and against the Sri Lankan and Indian Governments.

They were released at night.

Nedumaran and members of his Tamil Desiya Iyakkam (Tamil nationalist movement) including a dozen women, had raised slogans in favour of the banned LTTE.

Police said several "pro-Lankan Tamil groups", including Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK-Dalit Panther) supporters, tried to stage a demonstration at the Memorial Hall near the railway station without permission.

The groups were also protesting the sale of arms by India to Sri Lanka. Visiting Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, meanwhile, maintained that the frequent attacks on Indian fishermen were carried out by the LTTE and not by the Sri Lankan Navy.