Yogendra Yadav detained in Tamil Nadu, prevented from meeting farmers

Swaraj India president and psephologist Yogendra Yadavwas detained by Tamil Nadu police on Saturday in Tiruvannamalai district.

Yadav was detained when he was on his way to meet farmers protesting against a proposed Rs. 10,000 crore eight-lane Salem-Chennai expressway.

Yadav alleged he was prevented from going to meet farmers and was manhandled and pushed into police van.

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In a series of post on Twitter Yadav wrote, "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!"

Yadav claimed he and his team are locked in a marriage hall.

The police, on the other hand, claimed that Yadav had not sought permission for the meeting.

The police further said that Yadav and his team requires police protection.

The Rs 10,000 crore eight lane Salem-Chennai expressway has been facing opposition from a section of locals, including farmers over fears of losing their land, besides environmentalists who are opposed to the felling of trees for the project.