Police open fire to disperse clashing fishermen

Puducherry, Nov 8 (UNI) Police fired in the air to quell a clash between two fishermen groups at Veerampatinam near here this evening.

Police said the fishermen groups, belonging to 'North Street' and 'South Street', gathered at Veerampatinam beach and started pelting stones at each other.

Previous enmity was said to be the reason for the clash.

On information, police rushed to the spot and resorted to a lathi charge and tear gas to disperse the clashing groups.

As their effort ended in vain, they fired two rounds in the air to quell the clash.

As many as 12 persons, including policemen, were injured in the stone - pelting and were admitted to government general hospital here.

Heavy police pickets were posted in the village to prevent any further untoward incident, police added.

UNI