Tension in TN Dist during Ganesh idol immersion

Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, Sep 17 (UNI) Tension gripped the district for the second day today as 40 volunteers of the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) were arrested, after they stopped the Ganesh idol immersion procession from passing through an area dominated by a particular community.

Trouble began when the TMMK men blocked the procession at Begampur resulting in a tense situation. However, the police immediately swung into action and arrested the TMMK men.

All shops and commercial establishments along the procession route downed shutters. As many as 500 policemen were deployed, under the direct supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) R Krishnamurthy, along the procession route to prevent any untoward incidents.Later, the idols were immersed in a pond at Kodankulam.

Uprecedented security arrangements were made in this district, this morning in the wake of yesterday's incidents when some elements pelted stones and threw footwear at a similar procession at Paraipatti and Begampur resulting in a road roko protest by those taking part in the procession.

In Madurai, hundreds of policemen were deployed in the city in view of idol immersion procession organised by the Hindu Munnani this evening.

As many as 121 Ganesh idols were taken in the procession from Keezha Maasi Street to River Vaigai with hundreds of devotees participating.

UNI