Key leaders of the Human Rights Party (HRP), mainly made up of members of the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) were detained by police at various spots today ahead of a rally planned by the group at the KLCC here.
HRP secretary-general, lawyer P. Uthayakumar was among the first to be picked up by Dang Wangi police when he was about to leave his house at Pantai Hillpark at about 7.30am.
He was taken to the Sentul police headquarters and was joined by at least 70 others including other leading HRP figures who were subsequently detained.
Among those nabbed was information chief S.Jayathas, the group's Selangor, Perak and Kedah state leaders and two citizen journalists who were making their way to the city for the gathering.
It is learnt that police are moving most of those under their custody to the Police Training Centre grounds on Jalan Semarak.
At KLCC, members and supporters including those who arrived from other states in buses had swelled by the dozens as early as 7am but remain scattered in groups in the vicinity of the area.
However, by 10.15am, due to the heavy presence of police the number of supporters began dwindling. It is learnt that they were moving to congregate at the Sri Kortumalai Pillayar temple next to Puduraya.
Dozens of police roadblocks have been mounted in the city and police are checking those whom they suspect are heading for rally.
Uthayakumar said in an SMS that the rally was expected to proceed as planned but heavy police presence is believed to have thwarted the group's attempts.
The rally, which is similar to the massive street protest by Hindraf on Nov 25, 2007, was organised by the HRP as a call to the government to address the socio-economic problems of and perceived racial discrimination against the Indian community in the country.
