TN: Mob sets STC bus on fire

Tirunelveli, (Tamil Nadu) Oct 3: A mob set a State Transport Corporation (STC) bus on fire Monday, Nov 3 and damaged another during protests to condemn the attack on the convoy of Puthiya Tamilagam (PT) President K Krishnasamy. Police said an armed gang waylaid the STC bus, proceeding to Rajapalayam from Kovilpatti, at Solacherry Village, about 95 kms from here.

The gang forcibly alighted the passengers and damaged windscreens and then set the bus on fire and fled the scene.

However, the passengers and locals extinguished the fire before fire tenders could arrive at the scene.

In another incident, an unidentified gang pelted stones on a private bus damaging the windscreens, at Veeriruppu Village injuring at least three passengers, reports said.

In all, police have arrested about 250 volunteers of PT from different places in the district so far when they attempted to stage 'road roko' to condemn yesterday's attack on the Dalit leader. Clashes broke out between PT cadre and residents of Elumalai village in Madurai district last night following a wordy duel.

In the process, Dr Krishnasamy's convoy was attacked in which four vehicles were damaged prompting the police to use mild force to quell the violence.

Following this, police have stepped up security measures in southern districts of Tamil Nadu to prevent further trouble.

A report just received said in Madurai unidentified gangs torched ten STC buses at Uthapuram, Kottaipatti, Vallappatti, Kodanginaickenpatti and Ezhumalai Villages till afternoon.

A shop and a motorcycle were set on fire at Kullukadai village.

Tense situation prevailed in several Dalit-dominated villages in the district.

Police have filed cases against 500 people and were investigating.

UNI