Around 50 persons were arrested by the police when they tried to stage a ‘rail roko’ protest demanding that Tamilians be given preference in Central Government appointments in Tamil Nadu. The agitators were led by K. Ramakrishnan, General Secretary of the Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhakam.

The protesters were urging the centre and the railway to give their jobs in Tamil Nadu to those who had completed training in ICF Chennai. They also want the government to implement 49.5 per cent job reservations for SC/ST and OBC in the Central Government jobs.