Amid high drama, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat on Saturday visited a village in Madurai district, hit by caste clashes last year, after initially being refused permission by police to proceed there on the ground that her visit could trigger trouble.
As Karat, along with activists of All India Democratic Women's Association, moved towards Uthapuram village, her car
was stopped by police, who requested her not to go ahead,police officials in Madurai and Chennai said.
"However, she suddenly squatted on the road (in protest).
To prevent any problem, police requested her to come to the police station for a discussion. But there too she was adamant on going to Uthapuram. Seeing this, police decided to escort her to the village," K Radhakrishnan, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), told PTI in Chennai.
He said Karat was not arrested or detained by Thirupparankundram police but they only tried to reason with
her to avoid the visit due to the prevailing situation in the village.