Communal violence hits Srivilliputhur

SRIVILLIPUTHUR: Tension prevailed in W Pudupatti village after a clash broke out between two Dalit factions here on Sunday. Petrol bombs, stones and bottles were reportedly hurled by the rioters.

The communal tension in W Pudupatti has been festering for a while now. Ten months ago, three persons were killed, two injured and a number of houses were set on fire during a clash.

Under these circumstances, one community decided to celebrate the victory of the AIADMK and Puthiya Tamilagam. A feast of biriyani was arranged for the people in the evening.

Late in the afternoon, Kutty alias Gunasekaran, walking on the road, bumped into Jayaram, a VCK supporter. Jayaram and Gunasekaran had an argument and Jayaram told his supporters about it.

The enraged group armed with sickles, stones and petrol bombs hurled them at houses.

Their opponents retaliated and at least one person was injured, with damage to houses in RC Ambedkar Street and Emmanuel Street. 

Meanwhile, one gang entered a house, broke open the almirah and stole some cash. Another gang broke open a room used by the police and damaged the chairs.

Before the police could rush to the spot, people vacated the village, and the police it deserted after the incident.

Srivilliputhur DSP Lankeswaran rushed to the spot with police force. SP Prabakaran and DIG Madurai Range Sandeep Mittal are also camping in the village.

Police took into custody six men and one woman and secured them at the Srivilliputhur Taluk police station.

DIG Sandeep Mittal also ordered departmental action against the police personnel deployed for security in the village for their inability to control the violence.

According to activists, communal violence has become a regular feature here as police has not cracked down on petty skirmishes in the village.

Had the police taken preventive measures, large scale violence would have been prevented, they said.