COIMBATORE/DHARMAPURI: Hundreds of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) cadres and functionaries, including MPs, were arrested in Coimbatore for holding demonstrations demanding the dismissal of TVK minister D Sarathkumar. The coordinated protests were triggered by a controversial video alleging that the TVK human resource development minister had used banned substances in a public space. Defying the police ban, DMK cadres hit the streets to demand Sarathkumar’s removal from the state cabinet. In Coimbatore city, a demonstration spearheaded by DMK district secretary Durai Senthamil Selvan took place in front of the south taluk office. The protesters raised slogans against the ruling party. The situation quickly escalated, resulting in the arrests of more than 300 party cadres, including Coimbatore MP Ganapathi P Rajkumar. In Sulur, DMK students wing members headed by district secretary (south) Thalapathy Murugesan and more than 100 others held a protest despite the police restriction. Police arrested them and detained them temporarily in a nearby marriage hall. A similar scene unfolded in Dharmapuri. Crowds of DMK workers gathered near the BSNL office. The protest was led by senior leaders, including east district secretary and MP A Mani, alongside west district secretary and former minister P Palaniappan. Police moved in swiftly as a precautionary measure, arresting more than 100 participants. They were detained in a nearby marriage hall.
