Yogendra Yadav Detained By Tamil Nadu Police Ahead Of Meeting With Farmers, ‘Manhandled, Phone Snatched’
Yadav tweeted that the protesting farmers have also been detained by the police.
President of Swaraj India, activist Yogendra Yadav was allegedly detained and manhandled by police in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai on Saturday.
Yadav was on his way to meet farmers protesting against the Chennai-Salem greenfield corridor project.
He alleged that police officials snatched his phone and shoved him into police van.
TN police has detained me and team in Chengam PS, Thiru Annamalai district. We came on the invitation of Movement Against 8Lane Way.
We were prevented from going to meet farmers, phones snatched, manhandled and pushed into police van.
First hand experience of police state in TN!— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) September 8, 2018
In another tweet, Yaadav claimed that he was detained minutes after he spoke to a senior district official, Kandasamy, about the forced acquisition of farmers’ land for the expressway project and police’s involvement in the same.
I had spoken to Mr Kandasamy, Collector, Thiru Annamalai about acquisition and complains of police excesses for 8 lane way. He completely denied any police interference. Within minutes of the phone call police detained us. https://t.co/KYrA0oHJ26
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) September 8, 2018
Supdt. Police, Thiru Annamalai is here to tell me hay they apprehend law and order problem due to my presence! I am saying I will only visit farmers inside their homes. SP says I am not allowed!
Gandhian disobedience is the only way out, it seems.— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) September 8, 2018
Yadav also claimed that the police and administration was pressuring the farmers to give up their lands.
Status of acquisition process:
Notice issued, objections invited, govt yet to settle objections. So, no final decision on acquisition yet.
Still police and administration is pressuring farmers to accept, refusing to allow gram sabha resolutions and harassing anyone who protests. pic.twitter.com/yQrE0df6Zr— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) September 8, 2018
Yadav informed that the protesting farmers who met him have also been detained by the police.
It's 4 hours now, we are still locked inside this marriage hall. No formal order
Not even oral information about whether we are under detention or arrest
9 Farmers who met me this morning detained
Another 40 farmers waiting to meet me also detained.Rule of law? Or police Raj?
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) September 8, 2018
The police, however, denied Yadav’s allegations and said that Yadav and his team had not sought permission before meeting the farmers, reported NDTV.