The protests against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project today spread to Chennai with members of various parties and outfits being arrested for staging road blockade in various parts of the city.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi founder and Lok Sabha MP Thol Thirumavalavan and MDMK leader Mallai Sathya were among the scores of agitators who were arrested for staging road-blocks in different parts of the city, police said, adding smaller outfits like MMK also staged protest.

The protestors condemned yesterday's police firing in Tutircorin district where a fisherman was killed and opposed loading of uranium fuel at the nuclear plant in Tirunelveli district.

The anti-nuclear protests had taken a violent turn yesterday with protestors clashing with police, resulting in lathicharge and firing of tear-gas shells by police at Idinthakarai in Tirunelveli district and firing at Tuticorin.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had appealed for calm and cooperation from people of Idinthakarai, assuring that the venture being implemented in collaboration with Russia was safe.

Meanwhile, protesters allegedly pelted stones at a government bus at Mount Road here, damaging the window panes, police added.

In Rameswaram, mechanized boat fishermen resolved to go on a three-day strike from tomorrow protesting the police action against the anti-KNPP protesters.

Mechanized Boats Fishermen Association Secretary B.Seshuraja and President S.Emerit said out of the total 11 mechanized fishermen associations, nine will take part in the strike and about 5,000 fishermen will not venture into the sea.

MDMK and VCK workers were arrested in Puducherry also when they resorted to picketing at various places.

Police sources said around 400 agitators were taken into custody.