Hindraf leader held ahead of ‘Interlok’ protest

• 
• Read More">
• Read More">
• Read More">
• Read More">
• 
• Read More">

Police personnel seen gathered outside Suria KLCC shopping centre this morning in anticipation of a mass protest by the outlawed Hindraf group.— Picture by Clara Chooi

By Clara Chooi

February 27, 2011

Uthayakumar (centre) at a Hindraf protest a

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 — Police detained Hindraf founder P. Uthayakumar this morning ahead of a mass protest scheduled to take place at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) shopping centre from 9am.

His wife S. Indradevi confirmed with The Malaysian Insider that the former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee was picked up outside his home in Pantai Hillpark at about 7.45am, just as he was about to leave for the protest.

“About seven policemen cornered him the moment he left.

“They took him to the police contingent headquarters near Pudu,” she said when contacted.

Indradevi however confirmed that the protest would go on as planned despite Uthayakumar’s arrest.

“Rest assured, we will go on with it. It will not be called off,” she said.

The outlawed group is staging a protest this morning to voice Indian outrage over the use of the controversial Interlok novel in schools.

Police had earlier warned that legal action would be taken against anyone attending the gathering.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said that no permit had been given for the gathering, and anyone attending would be breaking the law.

The group’s application for a permit had earlier been rejected on grounds that it would jeopardise public safety and order.

Meanwhile, police gathered as early as 8am outside the KLCC complex, blocking those attempting to gather in the area, especially those garbed in orange clothing.

By 9.30am, more than 17 protesters are believed to have been arrested, some at Renaissance Hotel on Jalan Ampang, some 100 metres away from KLCC, and the rest from the entrance of the mall.

One protester, known as Chandran, 45, from Klang, complained to the media that the police were hampering the people’s freedom.

“We are just here to voice out Indian rights. I cannot understand why they cannot even allow us to move freely,” he said.

Upon seeing him speaking to media, a police officer shouted a warning into a voice hailer, ordering the group to disperse within one minute.

Several seconds later, Chandran and three of his companions were detained and taken away in a police van.

Meanwhile, protesters have not had the opportunity to gather due to heavy police presence at several stations surrounding the mall.