Coimbatore : Nearly 75 activists of various political parties and organisations were arrested at Anaikatti, on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, when they attempted to cross over to Kerala to inspect the site where dams were reportedly being constructed dams across Siruvani-Bhavani rivers.

Led by DMK legislator N Karthik, leaders of Congrerss, MDMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam went to Anaikatti and raised slogans against Kerala for stopping the construction of dams.

However, district police had put up barricades to prevent their movement beyond Tamil Nadu, even as large number of police were deployed on the other side of the State.

Even as the leaders wanted to move to the site,police stopped nearly 900 followers at Mankarai checkpot and asked the leaders not to cross Anaikatti.

They raised slogans against both Tamil Nadu Government for remaining mute spectator on this serious issue and Kerala for constructing dams and depriving water to Tamil Nadu, police said.

Karthik alleged that Kerala had already constructed dams at Manjukandi and Thekkuvattai and was constructing the dam at Kottathurai, which would affect the farmers of Erode, Tirupur and Coimbatore districts.

He told mediapersons that the parties would decide the future course of action on the issue, including large scale demonstration.

District Congress president Mayura Jayakumar, TPDK general secretary K Ramakrishnan and VCK zonal convenor Susi Kalaiyarasan were among those arrested, police said.