Eighteen youths were detained under the Goondas Act for their involvement in violence and arson during the funeral procession of slain Hindu Munnani functionary C Sasikumar on September 23.

More than 280 persons were arrested on charges of indulging in violence, damaging property and arson in and around the city and lodged in various jails in the state. Fifteen youths were detained under Goondas Act in the city, and the orders to this effect, signed by the City Police Commissioner A Amalraj, were served on them in the jails, police said.

Meanwhile, SP Ramya Bharathi recommended the detention of three youths—Pradip Kumar, Karthik and Praveen Kumar—under Goondas Act, for their involvement in torching a police vehicle on September 23 near Thudiyalur, where Sasikumar was staying. The orders signed by Collector TN Hariharan were served on the three lodged in the central jail here.