Police fire in air to quell mob

Thanjavur, Oct 1 (UNI) Police fired in the air to disperse DMK and AIADMK partymen who clashed over resumption of bus services even as the ruling DMK was observing a fast demanding speedy implementaion of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP) at Mannarkudi in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu this afternoon.

Police said trouble began when a group of AIADMK volunteers led by Thiruvaroor district Secretary and Former Rajya Sabha MP Kamaraj, went to the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) Bus Depot and asked the officials to operate bus services.

Later, the officials approached the police and requested security cover for the buses, one of which was brought to the stand from the depot.

With authorities 'yielding to their pressure', AIADMK men burst crackers, provoking the ruling DNMK men to pelt stones thereby damaging windscreen of the bus.

Police secured three DMK men and drove them towards a waiting police van which was also allegedly damaged by them.

Meanwhile, the groups clashed again and pelted stones in which 24 people from both sides were injured. Police opened fire in the air to disperse the mob.

All of them were shifted to the government hospital at Mannarkudi, from where two were referred to Thanjavur Medical College Hospital.

Police have stepped up security arrangements and intensified patrolling.

UNI