Tamil rights activist Thirumurugan arrested at KIA

Human rights activist Thirumurugan Gandhi was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport on charges of sedition early Thursday morning after he landed from Geneva.

DCP (north-east) Kala Krishnaswamy said that following the lookout circular against him, immigration officials arrested Thirumurugan and handed him over to the KIA police. Later, the Chennai police arrived in the afternoon and left for Chennai after taking him into custody.

Police sources said that Thirumurugan visited Geneva to address the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) where he spoke about the protest against the Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu where 13 people died in police firing. He was also actively campaigning against the eight-lane Chennai-Salem Green Corridor project. The Tamil Nadu police have registered 22 cases against him for conducting agitations, processions and violating orders.

The Chennai police have booked him for sedition and for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race etc.

Thirumurugan was arrested last year with others when he tried to stage a candlelight protest at Marina Beach in remembrance of Tamils who were killed in the conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE.