Tension in TN village over Thevar statue desecration

Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, Nov 4 (UNI) Tension prevailed at Velayuthapuram village in this district following a clash between police and villagers over alleged desecration of a statue of freedom fighter and former All India Forward Bloc Leader Muthuramalinga Thevar here today.

Police said some unidentified miscreants cut the head of the cement statue of the Thevar this morning sparking tension in the village.

As many as 300 villagers, including the activists of All India Forward Bloc and Thevar Peravai squatted on the busy Tirunelveli-Rajapalayam Highway, demanding action against the culprits.

Senior police officials rushed to the spot and tried to pacify them.However, the agitators refused to heed to them and continued with demonstration.

As the situation got serious, police used mild force to chase away the agitators.

In retaliation, the agitators pelted stones at police. In the melee, a constable suffered injuries on his head and was admitted to the government hospital here.

Following this, more police forces were deployed in and around the village to defuse the situation and prevent more untoward incidents.

The cement statue of Muthuramalinga Thevar was installed by the villagers after some unknown miscreants damaged the earlier statue last year.

Meanwhile, Marumalarchi DMK General Secretary Vaiko condemned the incident. Recalling the selfless services of the Thevar to the cause of freedom struggle, he sought tough action against the culprits.

UNI