27 DPI volunteers held for riot, arson in TN

Cuddalore, Jan 3: As many as 27 Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) volunteers were arrested by police in connection with yesterday's riot and arson at Sedapalayam village on the Cuddalore-Vriddchalam road near here.

Police said all the arrested were remanded in judicial custody.

The volunteers were held following the death of a 25-year-old man from injuries sustained during a New Year incident, sparking violence with nine houses belonging to assailants' community set on fire by relatives of the victim.

Police said Siva of S N Colony was travelling on a tempo along with his friends on the night of December 31 when some youths of a particular community offered him sweets at the Seddapalayam bus stop on the Cuddalore-Vriddachalam road.

Siva objected led to a heated arguments. In a fit of rage, the youths hit Siva on the head with an iron rod.

A bleeding Siva was then rushed to the Cuddalore Government Hospital where he was given first aid and later rushed to the Pondicherry Government Hospital where he died yesterday.

When the body was being taken to the burial ground for last rites, irate relatives set a blaze the houses belonging to the alleged assailants' community, police added.

UNI