Yogendra Yadav detained by Tamil Nadu police | Photo Credit: Twitter

Chennai: Yogendra Yadav, National president of Swaraj India, was detained by Tamil Nadu police in Tiruvannamalai district when he was en route to meet farmers. He alleged that he was manhandled and pushed into a police van. He tweeted about his "first-hand experience of police state" in Tamil Nadu.

"TN police has detained me and team in Chengam PS, Thiru Annamalai district. We came on the invitation of Movement Against 8Lane Way (sic)." Yadav said that he was prevented from going to meet farmers, his phone was snatched, he was manhandled and was pushed into the police van.

While we were being stopped and detained pic.twitter.com/yJPlskyE8y — Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) September 8, 2018

"We were prevented from going to meet farmers, phones snatched, manhandled and pushed into police van (sic)," he tweeted. Yadav said that he spoke to District Collector KS Kandasamy about the acquisition and complains of police excesses for eight laneway. "He completely denied any police interference. Within minutes of the phone call police detained us," he added.

Yadav also tweeted a video on his Twitter handle, in which he was stopped by the police, made to get out following which the police started frisking him. The police kept telling Yadav "Please come, sir." He also said that the SP has told him he was not allowed to visit farmers in their homes.

"Police, Thiru Annamalai is here to tell me hay they apprehend law and order problem due to my presence! I am saying I will only visit farmers inside their homes. SP says I am not allowed!" he wrote. He said Gandhian disobedience is the only way out.