Police fire tear gas shells to quell violence

Madurai, Oct 1 (UNI) Police burst tear gas shells to quell violence between people of two different communities in Uthapuram Village here this evening.

Inspector General of Police (South Zone) Sanjeev Kumar told UNI the trouble started when a group of people objected to the preparations made by those of another community for conducting the 'Kumbabishekam' (consecration) of the Sri Muthalamman Temple.

A wordy duel resulted in a free for all. Both the groups attacked each other and pelted stones.When the situation turned worse, police fired tear gas shells to quell the violence.

Additional police forces, including Swift Action Force (SAF), led by Deputy Inspector General of Police (Madurai Range) S S Krishnamurthy and Superintendent of Police Manoharan rushed to the spot to prevent further trouble.

The violent mob fled the village and was hiding in the nearby forest fearing police action. Mr Kumar said the situation was now under control.

Uthapuram Village hit the headlines a few months back for the infamous wall that separated a Dalit colony from Hindus for nearly two decades.

The 600-metre-long wall that blocked the common pathway and denied Dalits access to areas of common use was brought down by Tamil Nadu government on May six last after the intervention of various political parties.

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