SALEM: For the second day, hundreds of police personnel were stationed in Elampillai, where people attacked police personnel after a youth, who, while attempting to avoid vehicle check, got hit by a lorry and died, on Saturday.
According to Magudanchavadi police, T Saravanan (22), of Koneripatty, was heading on a motorcycle to Elampillai. When he reached near Karikadaimedu, he saw police checking vehicles. To avoid this, he stopped his bike and tried to turn around. Suddenly, a mini-lorry rammed his bike from behind, killing him on the spot. Irked, the locals gathered in large numbers and quarrelled with the police who were checking vehicles. Soon, Magudanchavadi police inspector Rajaranaveeran along with a posse of police personnel reached the spot.
The locals attacked the police, injuring Rajaranaveeran, SSI Palanisamy and SI Rajendran. The people then blocked the road with the body and set two police bikes ablaze.
Later, a large police contingent was brought to the spot and tear gas was used to control the crowd. The police even used batons to beat up the protesters. In response, the people pelted stones at the police and their vehicles. In the attack, some police personnel suffered minor injuries and three police vehicle windshields were damaged. Later, Superintendent of Police P Rajan and revenue officials reached the spot and talked to the protesters.
After this, the police sent the body to Salem Government Hospital for autopsy. But the public remained in the area and there was palpable tension the whole night. On Sunday, the SP talked to the deceased youth’s father Thangaraj and assured action against police personnel, if found guilty.