Police today cordoned off a temple in Banting, Selangor which was to be the venue of a forum organised by Hindu Action Rights Force (Hindraf).

According to an eyewitness, an estimated 300 policemen were present near the temple in Jalan Banting-Klang. They were said to be backed by three Federal Reserve Unit trucks and numerous other police vehicles including two helicopters.

Eyewitnesses claimed that close to 500 people gathered near some shops at about 7pm near the temple, but were persuaded to leave by the police.

"People are not leaving. Some of them want to use the temple while others are waiting to enter the the temple for the forum," said an eyewitness.

At about 8pm however, forum speakers managed to address the crowds through a loudhailer at the roadside, under the watchful eyes of the police.

The panel of speakers included five lawyers comprising of P Uthayakumar, P Waythamoorthy, R Kengadharan, M Manoharan and S Ganabathi Rao.

The crowds then dispersed peacefully at about 9pm. No untoward incidents were reported.

Curbing fundamental right

Eyewitnesses also claimed that the temple have been closed since 3pm by police personnel. Several police trucks and a helicopter were parked in the area since afternoon.

It is also reported that traffic from Klang towards Banting have been reduced to a crawl as a result of numerous road blocks set up by the police.

Hindraf legal advisor P Uthayakumar told Malaysiakini that the police had on Thursday rejected the application for a police permit to hold the event. An appeal was filed to no avail.

Under most circumstances, indoor events do not require police permits under Section 27 of the Police Act 1967.

The forum today titled '50 years of marginalisation and discrimination of Indians' was to be the 10th of its kind.

Previously, similar forums were held in Semenyih, Teluk Intan, Seremban, Klang, Sungai Petani, Butterworth, Kluang, Chaa and Port Dickson as part of Hindraf's nationwide roadshow.

Today was the first time police interfered in the forum proceedings.