Sunday May 11, 2008 MYT 6:26:28 PM
Bloggers detained over Hindraf protests
By PRISCILLA DIELENBERG & M. SIVANANTHA SHARMA
PENANG: A primary schoolteacher and a social activist, both bloggers, have been detained for questioning for taking part in an illegal assembly organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) here.
Perak-born Sathis Kumar, 27, and Ong Boon Keong, 48, were picked up in front of the Gurney Plaza shopping complex in Gurney Drive.
They took part in the assembly on Sunday seeking for detained Hindraf leader P. Uthayakumar to be sent to the Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) because of his heart condition.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abd Hamid said he was informed at 11.10am that about 30 people were taking part in an assembly without a permit, an offence under Section 27 of the Police Act, near the Gurney Drive roundabout, and he directed his men to disperse the group.
He said the group initially agreed to disband but tried to gather again in front of the shopping complex about 100m away.
ACP Azam said the police wanted to record the statements from the two men because they were found to be playing an active role in the group and were seen distributing flyers. He added that police also identified several others to assist in investigations.
To allegations that the police did not ask the group to disperse and did not give them a chance to negotiate, ACP Azam replied: “There was nothing to negotiate as the gathering was illegal. And they knew how to disperse.” He advised the group not to take the law into their own hands and not to assume that what they were doing was right.
Hindraf co-ordinator R.S. Thanenthiran said similar gatherings were held simultaneously in Prai, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and Johor Baru on Sunday with no untoward incidents.
He said the arrest of the two were uncalled for and unjustified, claiming they were just “passers-by” and were taking photographs for their blogs.
Thanenthiran said demonstrations would be held every Sunday until Uthayakumar is referred to IJN for treatment.
Related story:
Supporters rally for release of Hindraf leaders
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