Nearly 500 members of various outfits were arrested in Coimbatore today when they attempted to stage a demonstration against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to unveil a 112-foot Adiyogi face at the Isha Yoga centre.

Some black balloons were also released into the air by a section of the protesters as Modi was travelling to the venue near Coimbatore by a helicopter, police said.

The protesters raised slogans against Modi for his alleged failure in protecting farmers' interests and for not taking action against the Isha Yoga for alleged encroachment of tribal land for construction of the face, police said.

During the protest held in front of a tehsildar office in Coimbatore, they also sought Centres intervene to prevent construction of check dams across river Bhavani by Kerala.

Arond 500 workers of outfits including Dravidar Kazhagam, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, Tamil Maanila Congress, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Revolutionary Youth Front, Social Democratic Party of India, and Federation of Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association, participated in the demonstration, police said adding all were arrested.

Police also arrested 17 workers of a fringe outfit when they attempted to stage a demonstration against Modis visit near the airport. -- PTI

IMAGE: PM Modi being received by Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and other dignitaries on his arrival in Coimbatore. Photograph: PTI Photo