MDMK workers detained near Sanchi ahead of Rajapaksa's visit

Nearly half a dozen MDMK supporters, opposing the scheduled visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Madhya Pradesh, were detained at Salamatpur near Sanchi as a precautionary measure, police said today.

Rajapaksa will be reaching Sanchi tomorrow via Bhopal to lay the foundation stone for the International Sanchi Buddhist University and Indic Studies.

"We picked up five-six persons belonging to Tamil Nadu yesterday when they failed to give satisfactory response to their presence at Salamatpur, close to Sanchi town in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh," security in-charge for the visit of Rajapaksa and Inspector General (IG) Hoshangabad range, Ajay Sharma said today.

One of the workers identified as Durai Balkrishnan, suffering from hypertension, was admitted to Hamidia Hospital here for treatment, police said.

After questioning the supporters, police sent them back to Bhopal, the IG said, adding the security has been beefed up between Bhopal and Sanchi in view of the high-profile visit.

To ensure that no Tamil protesters reached the venue, security measures have been tightened on all the entry points to Sanchi. Also, security agencies have asked railway authorities not to halt 11 trains anywhere between Bhopal and Vidisha on September 21 to prevent entry of those who may ensue trouble in the programme.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has again appealed to the MDMK General Secretary Vaiko to give up the protest as the programme was totally apolitical in nature and aimed at strengthening mutual ties between the Asian nations.