TN: 1 killed, 3 hurt in clashes b/w 2 communities

Tiruchirapalli, July 30: One person was hacked to death and three others, including two policemen were injured in a clash between two communities at Somarasampettai on the city outskirts late last night.

A senior police official told UNI the clash occured due to an affair between a youth and a girl belonging to the two communities.

Trouble began last night when the youth, Purushothaman, was hacked to death allegedly by members of the other community.

The news spread like wildfire and soon resulted in the clash with people attacking each other with stones and bricks. The mob even ransacked vehicles passing the area.

A police team which rushed to the spot was also attacked, injuring two policemen, including a sub-inspector attached to Somarasampettai Police Station.

The injured were admitted to the Government Hospital here.

On information, a team led by Additional Deputy Superintendent of Police (ADSP) Chandrasekhar rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Later, Tiruchirapalli Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) S Ramanidharan and senior Revenue and police officials held peace talks with the warring groups.

As many as 27 persons were arrested in connection with the violence. A search was on for DMK Somarasampettai Union Secretary Palaniyandi who was stated to be behind the violence.

Police have formed four special teams to nab more persons in connection with the incident. Pickets were posted in and around the area to prevent further trouble.

UNI