Police opens fire to disperse clashing partymen

Villuppuram, Oct 15 (UNI) Police fired one round in air to disperse the DMK and AIADMK party members who were clashing with at Gingee in Villupuram soon after the polling was over today.

According to an eyewitness, a crowd, said to be the AIADMK men, assembled inside the office of the former Gingee Panchayat Union Chairman Ranganathan. Suddenly police entered the office and resorted to a lathi charge and chased them away.

About 36 AIADMK men were taken into custody for creating terror in the public places.

According to police, the trouble started when an unidentified gang attacked a local AIADMK functionary Thanikachalam, injuring him. Later getting the information, a group of AIADMK men came to the spot and started searching for the gang. Meanwhile, the members of the ruling DMK about 200 also assembled there, police added.

Despite the repeated warning, the clashing groups did not disperse. Police opend one round of fire in the air to ensure dispersal of the crowd.

A group of persons from both sides and a police inspector sustained injuries in the clash.

UNI XR GKT VD HT2140