More Hindraf leaders are likely to be arrested

The Malaysia Police has said that more Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders could be arrested after it detained five Hindraf leaders under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Kuala Lumpur, Dec 14 : The Malaysia Police has said that more Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders could be arrested after it detained five Hindraf leaders under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The detained leaders are P. Uthayakumar, M. Manoharan, R. Kengadharan, V. Ganabatirau and K. Vasantha Kumar.

Bukit Aman police officers picked them up between 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. on Thursday.

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said they were picked up under Section 8(1) of the ISA after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi signed their detention orders.

The IGP said that all five have been sent to the Kamunting Detention Centre.

The group came into the spotlight on November 25 when it organised a mass protest that saw thousands of Indians gathering at various locations in the city to support Hindraf's plan to submit a petition with 100,000 signatures to the British High Commission.

The petition was to ask Queen Elizabeth II to appoint a Queen's Counsel to represent the Indian community in a class-action suit against the British Government for bringing in Indians as indentured labourers to the then Malaya and exploiting them.

P. Waythamoorthy, who is another Hindraf leaders, is currently overseas, the Star Online reported.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharum said that the authorities were monitoring the situation and movement of Hindraf to ensure there was no link to terrorism.

"We will take necessary action according to the situation and information received," he added.

ANI