TIRUNELVELI: At least 20 members of a dominant caste were detained by the Perumalpuram police for allegedly vandalising a CPM party office and attacking party functionaries for conducting the inter-caste marriage of a 23-year-old woman hailing from a dominant caste and a 28-year-old SC man.
According to sources, CPM district committee member S Palani and Tirunelveli corporation CPM councillor Muthu Subramanian sustained injuries in the attack and were treated at a hospital in Reddiarpatti, while SFI functionary Sylas Arulraj was rushed to the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TvMCH).
"The couple has been in a relationship for the past six years, and wanted to tie the knot. But the girl's parents refused to give consent. Following this, they approached the CPM party office on Thursday, and with the aid of party cadre, exchanged garlands in front of the Lenin statue," said CPM functionaries, who also sought police protection for the couple.
However, on Friday, relatives of the woman and members of dominant caste outfits barged into the party office, damaged glass doors, computers, tables and chairs in the presence of the police personnel, and attempted to stage a road blockade in front of the office. However, police personnel dispersed them, added the functionaries.
Sources said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Tirunelveli city) Adharsh Pachera inspected the party office and the Perumalpuram police detained the attackers. Pachera has also ordered to beef up security at the office, and further inquiry is under way to nab others, who fled the place following the attack.
Meanwhile, in a statement, CPM State Secretary K Balakrishnan demanded strict legal action against the culprits and sought police protection for the couple.
Balakrishnan said the couple had made arrangements to get their marriage registered with the Sub-Registrar's office at Melappalayam on Friday.
Since this attempt was scuttled by the family of the woman, the couple approached the CPI(M) seeking 'protection.'
(With inputs from PTI)