Dalit, Caste Hindu Clash over Devotee's Bid to Click Deity

VILLUPURAM: Weeks after the caste clash in Sethusamudram village near Villupuram left many injured and several huts gutted, another clash broke out between the Caste Hindus and Dalits at Alathur village near Marakkanam during a temple festival on Sunday night.

Sources said the 15-day long festival was being held at the Draupadi Amman temple in Alathur village. Villagers,  belonging to different castes and communities, were taking part in the festival.  On Sunday night, the fire-walking ceremony was conducted and next to the fire pit, an Amman idol was placed. At that time, a few local Dalit youth started taking photographs of the idol. On seeing this, a section of the Caste Hindus objected to this and tried to clear them from the spot. Soon, an argument broke out and it degenerated into a clash with the members of Dalits and Caste Hindus attacking one another with wooden logs. Twenty villagers, 10 from both sides, sustained minor injuries.

As the situation turned tense, police resorted to a lathicharge and dispersed the mob.  More than 100 policemen, headed by ASP Nisha Sekar, rushed and held peace talks. Security has been tightened in the area to prevent any further untoward incident.