Farmer's protest: Yogendra Yadav arrested in Tamil Nadu
Chennai, Sept 8 (IBNS): Psephologist-turned politician Yogendra Yadav on Saturday said he was arrested by the police in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvannamalai district as he wanted to 'meet farmers'.
In a tweet, Yadav said: "Finally, I have been arrested. My crime: wanting to meet farmers in their home. Where is rule of law?"
Finally, I have been arrested.
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) September 8, 2018
My crime: wanting to meet farmers in their home.
Where is rule of law?
Yadav earlier said he visited the state to join the farmers' movement against eight lane way.
Yes arrest formalities are being completed now.
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) September 8, 2018
With me two local farmer leaders ChandraKumar and Arul Arumugam have also been arrested. https://t.co/QumcT9ppMe
He earlier tweeted: "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!"
This is when they decided to arrest me.
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) September 8, 2018
ASP: we have reliable info that you are going to organise public protest
Me: I have already given to you in writing that we won't do any public meeting or protest. You can accompany me and check.
ASP: sorry, we have orders to arrest you. https://t.co/sP1wACYW6R
Yadav, the founding member of Swaraj India, said he was arrested minutes after he spoke to Kandasamy, Collector, Thiru Annamalai "about acquisition and complains of police excesses for 8 lane way".
The leader added saying he was detained by police owing to law and order problems.
The entire incident, in which Yadav was stopped by police, was filmed and shared by the leader on his Twitter handle.
Lawyer Prashant Bhusan criticised the move of arresting Yadav and tweeted: "This is truly police Raj in TN being run by remote control from Delhi. Under what law can police arrest @_YogendraYadav for merely holding meetings to meet farmers who are protesting against acquisition of their land? Undeclared emergency! "
This is truly police Raj in TN being run by remote control from Delhi. Under what law can police arrest @_YogendraYadav for merely holding meetings to meet farmers who are protesting against acquisition of their land? Undeclared emergency! https://t.co/x48McNvEye
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) September 8, 2018
The expressway is facing problems as several local people including farmers are objecting to eight lane road over fears of losing their own land.
Yadav, who was an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, was ousted from the outfit in 2015 after he took on chief Arvind Kejriwal. He is also the founding member of Jai Kisan Andolan.
Image: Screen grab/twitter.com/_YogendraYadav
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