Brinda Karat released after brief 'detention'

Brinda Karat, a Communist Party of India-Marxist politburo member, was today stopped by police before they escorted her to a Tamil Nadu village.

Brinda Karat, a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) politburo member, was on Saturday stopped by police before they escorted her to a Tamil Nadu village.

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Ignoring police advice, Karat and her colleagues, All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) office-bearers Vasuki, Jhansi Rani and others, were proceeding to Uthapuram village, near Madurai, where a Dalit had died in police firing last year during an inter-caste clash.

Police briefly detained them the Thirupparankundram police station and later accompanied them to the village.

According to police, Karat was not arrested or detained but police officials only tried to reason with her.

Police had advised her not to visit the village as it would lead to a law and order problem. She, however, demanded action against trouble-makers instead.

Speaking to reporters in Madurai, Karat alleged the DMK government was practising a 'divide and rule' policy in Uthapuram by having different ration shops and community halls for two communities.