T. N. Gopalan BBC Chennai

However Mr Nadesan was rescued by the police and has now been moved to safety.

fishermen issue

Rameswaram is a temple town on the eastern coast, and fishermen from there complain repeatedly of attacks by Sri Lankan navy in the environs of Kacha Theevu in Palk Straits, separating India and Sri Lanka.

	MDMK leader Viko addresing supporters

Nirmala Rajapakse, a niece of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse, and her husband Thirukumaran Nadesan had offered prayers at the Ramanathaswamy temple in the Rameswaram isalnd Monday without much of a problem.

MDMK

Meantime word had spread, and when Nadesan was participating in some ritual organized at the residence of a priest, activists of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and Nam Tamzhar Iyakkam, surrounded the house and raised slogans against President Mahinda Rajapakse and the Sri Lankan government.

Even as Nadesan emerged, the activist waving black flags pounced on him with poles and footwears. However, before more damage could occur, he was pulled inside by the priest and others. A few minutes later police arrived on the scene and escorted Nadesan to safety.

seven arrested

The local police authorities were reluctant to comment, but according to reports, seven of the activists have since been arrested.

Sri Lanka's Deputy Commissioner Vadivel Krishnamurthy regretted the attack, but said the couple were not harmed. He also added they were on their way back to Sri Lanka.