Tension in Perambalur as DMK, VCK workers indulge in violence

Tiruchirappalli (TN),Feb 2 (PTI) Tension prevailed inPerambalur and Ariyalur districts as some DMK and Dalit-outfitViduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi workers allegedly indulged inviolence to protest the arrest of former Telecom Minister ARaja in connection with the 2 G spectrum scam today.

Police said several shops and business establishmentsin the districts remained closed and workers of both partiesresorted to blocking road traffic at many places.

Police said six buses had been damaged in violence inPerambalur district, hometown of Raja, who is considered thedalit face of the DMK. No one was injured in these attacks.

Tension mounted in neighbouring Ariyalur town asAIADMK men distributed sweets to celebrate Raja''s arrest withDMK workers opposing it.

DMK and VCK workers allegedly pelted stones at theoffice of the Tamil daily ''Dinamalar'' office at Perambalur.Thevideo camera of a cameraman of AIADMK-backed Jaya TV andcamera of Tamil daily ''Dinakaran''s photographer at Perambalurwere broken, allegedly by the workers.

Police said ten persons had been taken into custody inconnection with the violence.

Police said the situation in Perambalur and Ariyalurwas fully under control and armed policemen had been posted indifferent localities.

Traffic on the Chennai-Tiruchi highway was affectedfor two hours near Perambalur as supporters of Raja and VCKworkers blocked traffic and started burning tyres and throwingthem on the road.

Police rushed to the spot to disperse them.

Slogan shouting DMK and VCK workers forced shops todown shutters,police said.

Bus services to many places in the two districts hadbeen cancelled for the night, Transport officials said.

Tension also prevailed in Kumbakonam as some AIADMKworkers burst crackers on hearing about Raja''s arrest. DMK menprotested against the celebration and staged a protest at thebus-stand demanding action against those who burst crackers.

They later dispersed following an assurance frompolice.