Protest demonstrations continued in Tamil Nadu for the fifth day today against gunning down of 20 woodcutters by Andhra Pradesh police as various political parties mounted pressure for a probe by CBI or by a Supreme Court Judge.
Several Tamil outfits staged protests in different places while effigies of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu were burnt in Tiruchengode and Tiruchirappalli, police said.
Outfits including Puthiya Jananayaga Thozhilalar Munnani, Pengal Viduthalai Munnani and Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam staged protest demonstration in fron Central Railway Station here and about 150 of them were detained by police.
In Thiruchengode, Adi Tamilar Peravai burnt the effigy of Chandrababu Naidu and 20 persons were detained by police.
In Vellore and Ranipet, Naam Tamilar Katchi staged demonstrations in front of Andhra Bank branches.
While Dalit Viduthalai Iyakkam resorted to agitation in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Desiya Pothuvudamai Katchi staged protest in Kumbakonam.
Protests were reported from Erode, Mannagudi, Dharmapuri, Harur, Ariyalur and Polur by various outfits.
Meanwhile, political parties, including PMK and MDMK, and various groups stepped up pressure seeking a CBI probe. DMK chief Karunanidhi had already demanded a judicial inquiry.
Condemning the police action, Union Minister of State for Shipping and senior BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan told reporters in Tiruchirappalli that police could have arrested the woodcutters if they had wished.
He demanded a white paper by the Andhra Pradesh Government on the issue.
Stating that a fair probe by Andhra Pradesh cannot be expected, PMK chief Ramadoss demanded either a probe by CBI or a judicial inquiry by a Supreme Court judge.
Hitting out at Union Minister Venkiah Naidu, he alleged the Minister had "portrayed Tamil woodcutters as smugglers."
MDMK General Secretary Vaiko too demanded a CBI probe and VCK chief Thirumavalavan said the real culprits in the incident were not from Tamil Nadu.
