Anti-CEC protests in Chennai: AISF, AIYF cadres arrested on Anna Salai; over 40 protesters detained in Besant Nagar

Police in Chennai detained dozens of activists on Saturday after a series of anti‑China Economic Co‑operation (CEC) protests turned confrontational on two of the city’s busiest thoroughfares. Members of the All India Students Federation (AISF) and the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) were arrested on Anna Salai, while a separate police operation in Besant Nagar resulted in the detention of more than 40 demonstrators. The police said the actions were taken to prevent a breach of public order and to enforce a court‑ordered ban on the gatherings, which had been scheduled for the same day.The protests were organised by the student and youth wings of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which have been campaigning against the CEC, a bilateral trade agreement with China that they claim threatens India’s strategic autonomy and economic interests..

Organisers had announced a “march for sovereignty” in the city centre, intending to block traffic on Anna Salai, a major arterial road linking the commercial hub of the city with the government district. The police, however, had issued a notice two days earlier prohibiting any public assembly in the area without prior permission, citing concerns over congestion and the potential for unrest.At around 10 a.m., a contingent of AISF and AIYF cadres gathered at the junction of Mount Road and Radhakrishnan Salai, brandishing banners that read “No to CEC” and “Protect Indian industry”. Within minutes, police in riot gear moved in, forming a cordon that forced the protesters onto the footpath..

Video footage shared on social media showed officers using batons to disperse the crowd, after which several activists were handcuffed and escorted to a nearby police station. Among those taken into custody were three senior student leaders, identified by the police as the principal organisers of the march.In the southern suburb of Besant Nagar, a separate rally was staged near the historic Besant Nagar Beach, where activists had gathered to chant slogans and display placards condemning the CEC. According to local eyewitnesses, the police arrived in large numbers around 11 a.m., surrounding the crowd and ordering them to disperse..

When the demonstrators refused to obey, officers deployed water cannons and, in a few instances, tear‑gas shells. The resulting chaos saw over 40 participants seized, many of whom were later released on bail after being questioned for several hours.One protester, a 22‑year‑old university student, suffered a head injury during the police operation on Anna Salai. He was found unconscious on the pavement after a baton strike, according to statements from his family, who said he was taken to a city hospital for treatment..

Hospital officials confirmed that the young man was admitted with a concussion and a lacerated scalp, but declined to comment on the circumstances that led to his injuries. Human rights groups have since called for an independent investigation into the use of force by law‑enforcement officers during the protests.The state police department released a statement asserting that the arrests were “necessary and lawful” and that the demonstrators had “flouted a clear legal order”. The statement added that the police had “exercised restraint” and that any use of force was “proportionate to the threat posed by a hostile crowd”..

It also noted that the detained activists would be charged under sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to unlawful assembly and public nuisance, as well as specific provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which has been invoked in recent years against a range of dissenting movements.Political reactions to the incident have been sharply divided. Opposition parties, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress, condemned the police actions as excessive and called for a parliamentary inquiry. The DMK, which governs the state, issued a brief statement urging the authorities to “respect democratic space” and to “ensure that the rights of peaceful protestors are upheld”..

In contrast, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) praised the police, describing their response as “firm but fair” and emphasizing the need to maintain law and order amid what it termed “anti‑national agitation”.Legal experts have weighed in on the broader implications of the crackdown. Professor Ramesh Sharma, a constitutional law specialist at the University of Madras, warned that the use of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in cases involving peaceful protest could set a concerning precedent. “The act was designed for counter‑terrorism, not for managing street protests,” he said..

“Its invocation here risks blurring the line between legitimate dissent and criminality, which is detrimental to democratic discourse.” Human rights lawyer Meera Nair echoed this sentiment, urging the courts to scrutinise the police’s adherence to the standards set by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which India is a signatory.The protests have also sparked a wider debate about India’s economic relationship with China. While the CEC, signed in 2022, aims to reduce tariffs and boost bilateral trade, critics argue that it creates dependencies that could be leveraged for political pressure. The AISF and AIYF have been vocal about what they describe as “strategic vulnerabilities” and have called for a review of all major agreements with Beijing..

Government officials, however, maintain that the CEC is essential for sustaining growth, especially in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and renewable energy, and that it includes safeguards against any undue influence.In the days following the arrests, a number of civil society organisations convened a press conference to demand the immediate release of the detained activists and to call for an independent commission to examine police conduct. The conference was attended by representatives from the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights, and several student unions. They appealed to the national human rights commission, urging it to intervene and to monitor any further police action against demonstrators across the country.As the legal process unfolds, the detained activists remain in custody pending bail hearings scheduled for next week..

Their families have organized a candle‑light vigil outside the Chennai Central police headquarters, expressing both solidarity with the protesters and concern over the injuries sustained. The episode underscores the tension between state authority and civic activism in a city that has long been a crucible for political movements, and it is likely to shape the discourse surrounding India’s foreign policy and domestic dissent for months to come..