Tension prevailed in Kaduvetti, the home town of PMK MLA J Guru, after his supporters allegedly attacked four cars escorting a vehicle in which Thamizagha Vazvurimai Katchi (TVK) founder
Panruti Velmurugan, who was to attend a marriage function at the village, was travelling.
The incident also fuelled a clash between the two groups and a subsequent road roko by members of the TVK and AIADMK, paralysing traffic on the Chennai-Kumbakonam road for over an hour. Five persons were injured and four vehicles reportedly damaged in the incident.
Based on a complaint filed by Saminathan of the TVK, police registered a case against 25 persons.
Kaduvetti, which bordered Ariyalur and Cuddalore, was once known as a PMK stronghold. But, following a dispute, a rival group split from the party and joined the AIADMK. Party MLA Guru also went by the sobriquet, ‘Kaduvetti’ Guru. It may be noted that Velmurugan founded the TVK after he was expelled from the PMK last year. Against this background, Velmurugan was invited to the village to attend the marriage of the daughter of AIADMK functionary Chinnapillai. The function was to be held in a marriage hall at the nearby Pappakudi.
Several cars accompanied the vehicle Velmurugan was travelling in once he set out from Panruti. When the motorcade neared Kaduvetti, Chinnapillai’s supporters tried to burst crackers to welcome Velmurugan.
Sensing the situation, police personnel present at the spot prevented them from doing so. Meanwhile, a group of 50 persons led by Kaduvetti panchayat president Vikramadhithan allegedly attacked some of the cars with stones and logs.
A local resident said, “When the group attempted to attack Velmurugan’s car, other escort vehicles surrounded his car to protect him from the gang. Supporters of Chinnapillai confronted the attackers and a clash broke out between them. After some time, the police brought the situation under control and Velmurugan’s motorcade proceeded to Pappakudi.”
Later, members of the TVK and AIADMK blocked the Chennai-Kumbakonam road near the hall, demanding police arrest Guru and his supporters. When Ariyalur SP Jayagowri came to the spot and spoke to protestors, they stopped the agitation. Later, Velmurugan left the spot with police protection.