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Muslim front activists arrested in Madras on eve of Babri Masjid anniversary

The Madras police have arrested Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam leader P Zainul Abideen at Shastri Nagar in the city last night as part of the preventive measures in view of the sixth anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6.

He was produced before a magistrate court at Saidapet and remanded to judicial custody for 15 days.

More than 300 people, including several TMMK workers, have been arrested in the city so far. About 2,000 people were arrested all over the state, police sources said.

Tight security arrangements have been made in several parts of Thanjavur district. Armed police personnel have been posted in all historic places, including the famous Brahadeeswarar temple and the grand Anaicut. About 30 TMMK workers have been arrested in the district, a Thanjavur report said.

The TMMK has threatened to stage a demonstration in front of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's residence at Gopalapuram in the city on December 6, in protest against the denial of permission to hold a rally at Madurai that day, demanding that the Babri Masjid be reconstructed at Ayodhya.

Meanwhile, the City Suburban United Jamad appealed to Karunanidhi to release the arrested persons, as a majority of them were innocent. Any protest proposed to be staged on December 6 should be peaceful, it added.

UNI

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