Coimbatore:
Agitating activists of pro-LTTE outfits in Coimbatore blocked a convoy of 80 military vehicles at nearby Nilambur on Saturday and damaged some of the trucks alleging that the materials being transported were meant for Sri Lanka.
Workers of Periyar Dravida Kazhagam, MDMK and some other outfits blocked the army vehicles, pulled out drivers and assistants of four vehicles and removed materials like tents, maps and training equipment, police said.
They also deflated the tyres and broke the window screens of the trucks.
Military personnel accompanying the trucks retaliated by hitting the activists with iron rods and wooden poles used for pitching tents. A TV reporter covering the event sustained minor injuries, police said.
Col Ajay Sharma of Madukarai regiment, who also reached the spot, told reporters that the men were coming from Hyderabad after training. The army personnel left with their vehicles after police intervened.
The convoy was carrying materials from Hyderabad to Maddukkarai regiment near here, police said. Some activists were "secured", they said.
The pro-LTTE activists have been alleging that India is providing arms to Lankan Army, which the Indian officials have denied.
Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police K Rajendran said in a release in Chennai that Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam activists had spread rumours that the army trucks were carrying weapons to Sri Lanka.
At around 3.45 pm, over 100 PDK volunteers stopped the trucks and damaged the windscreens and set ablaze the drivers' dresses, tent materials and plastic chairs, he said, adding that police rushed to the spot and prevented any further trouble.
Five persons, including PDK General Secretary K Ramakrishnan, were arrested and efforts were on to nab others involved in the incident, the police officer said.
He warned of stern action against those who spread rumours and indulged in unlawful activities.