Coimbatore: Environment activist Piyush Manush was arrested on Monday for protesting against expansion of the Salem airport and the eight-lane Salem expressway.

A lawyer Manikandan had filed a case against Piyush claiming that he was “inviting people to protest against developmental projects”, leading to the arrest.

The arrest was under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (promoting enmity between groups). Piyush was arrested in July 2016 under non-bailable sections for protesting against construction of a bridge at Muluvadi gate in Salem.

Earlier, Mansoor Ali Khan was arrested on Sunday for protesting against the same projects and Piyush had, through FaceBook, criticised the arrest.

Mansoor Ali Khan on Sunday said the State and Central Governments must not implement these projects. “I will definitely participate in the protests against these projects and I will kill eight people and go to jail if the expressway project is implemented,” he had said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said in the Assembly that the State Government had fought for this project and only 41 acres of forest land would be acquired. He also added that of the 1,900 hectares being acquired, 400 hectares belonged to the government and there would be in tunnel in the forest area.

Opposition to the projects by famers and villagers began ever since they were announced.