Jayalalitha backs police action

The arrest led to a wave of protests in Tamil Nadu

The Chief Minister of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalitha, has again backed the controversial police action against former chief minister and leader of the main opposition DMK party, M Karunanidhi.

Chief Minister Jayalalitha: Night-time raid was necessary

Her statement comes 10 days after the midnight swoop on Mr Karunanidhi's house and the angry reaction which followed it.

Jayalalitha defended the late night arrest, saying it was important that it was carried out at night to avoid any law and order problems.

She denied that the police manhandled Mr Karunanidhi roughly during his arrest.

'Grounds for arrest'

Jayalalitha said there were sufficient grounds for his arrest and also for the arrest of two central ministers - Murasoli Maran and T R Balu.

The two ministers were arrested for allegedly intimidating the police.

They were released after an angry reaction from the central government - of which the DMK opposition in Tamil Nadu is a key ally.

Their release was followed by a tough warning from Delhi asking the state government to take action against police officers involved in the arrest.

The state government duly instituted an inquiry commission, headed by a retired high court judge, into the incident.

But Mr Karunanidhi has announced that he will boycott the commission.

Mr Karunanidhi's DMK party has also sought the president's intervention, alleging that the inquiry commission is intended to protect the police.