MP: Vaiko, 700 others arrested as SL President Rajapaksa arrives in Sanchi

New Delhi: MDMK chief Vaiko and 700 of his party supporters were arrested in Chhindwara near Sanchi on Friday as they tried to enter the city to hold their protest against visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is scheduled to inaugurate a Buddhist University there.

Vaiko had planned a black flag protest against Rajapaksa in Sanchi. However, the Madhya Pradesh police stopped them from entering the city on Thursday night and many were reportedly sent back to Bhopal.

The political parties of Tamil Nadu, including the MDMK, the DMK and the AIADMK, have been protesting against the alleged violation of rights of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka during its war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is scheduled to inaugurate a Buddhist University in Sanchi.

The parties had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the Sri Lankan President's visit to the country.

Rajapaksa, however, met the PM in Delhi on Thursday. The two reportedly discussed the Tamil resettlement issue among others.

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