CHENNAI: Tension prevailed in Tambaram and surrounding areas on Wednesday night after a communal clash broke out when a mob ransacked a shop belonging to a TN Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam functionary and hacked three of its employees.
Tambaram police inspector Chellapa, who was at the Tambaram market, suffered injuries in the clash.
The sudden succession of events began around 10.15 pm when about 20 people in two SUVs arrived in front of a footwear shop located at MRM Street near Tambaram market. The gang, armed with sickles and logs, ransacked the shop owned by Ayub, a local TMMK functionary.
The gang had reportedly been searching for Ayub and since he was not present, they directed their anger at three employees in the shop and repeatedly hacked them using sickles.
As the news about the attacks spread, several local traders assembled at the shop and chased out the mob. The three injured persons - Shahul Hameed, Abdul and Ansari - were rushed to a private hospital.
Police sources said Wednesday’s violence was a fallout of a petty quarrel between Pandian, allegedly a local Thevar Peravai functionary, and Ayub, who are neighbors at Kalyana Sundaram Street in Tambaram.
“A few weeks ago, there was a minor dispute between Ayub and Pandian over parking vehicles on the street. Both of them exchanged blows after heated arguments and we registered cases against both based on separate complaints. We already suspected that Pandian’s men were planning to carry out attacks on Ayub and had posted security to his house and shop,” a police officer said.
Wednesday’s attack on Ayub’s shop took place despite police presence in the shop. The policemen could do little as they were outnumbered. Over 100 policemen were later posted in the Tambaram market area after the incident to prevent any further untoward incidents. The injured persons are currently being treated and police are on the lookout for the assailants.