more-inRAMANATHAPURAMThe cadre of the CPI (M) courted arrest after they blocked road in front of the new bus stand here on Monday, demanding total rollback of increase in bus fares. Led by party’s district secretary V. Kasinatha Durai, more than 60 cadre, including eight women, blocked the road and briefly held up traffic flow before they were arrested by police. The protest was organised also to urge the authorities to drop cases registered against students and public, who had staged protests in different parts of the State against the fare hike, Mr. Kasinatha Durai said. Tension erupted as an Inspector of Police and a newly recruited Sub-Inspector allegedly behaved in a rude manner while asking the cadre to board the police vehicle. After a wordy duel broke out between the police and the protesters, Deputy Superintendent of Police Natarajan intervened and defused the situation.

Source: The Hindu February 12, 2018 13:45 UTC