Thuvarankurichi tense as cops cane protestors

As the situation was going out of control, police resorted to a mild lathicharge and dispersed the crowd. In the commotion, two constables and a police inspector suffered injuries and has been admitted to the GH. 

Sources said that two groups belonging to a community had a long-running dispute over a poramboke land that was marked for temple construction. Peace talks were convened repeatedly in the past few months by revenue officials to settle the issue. 

A couple of days ago, during one such peace talks, villagers from Kanjanayakkan patti, Chettiyapatti, South Ellaikattupatti, Singilipatti, Kavalkaranpatti and Rasipatti met over the celebration of Kanjanayakkanpatti Kaliamman and Muthalamman temple festivals. 

Suddenly, two sections of people engaged in a verbal altercation which later snowballed into a clash. Following this both parties lodged complaints against each other with the Thuvarankurichi police, who registered a case and were investigating. In such a situation, police secured Rajan (40) of Chettiyapatti and Vadivel (37) of Kanjanayakkanpatti and took them for investigation.

Meanwhile, on Monday morning, villagers from Kanjanayakkanpatti blocked the Thuvarankurichi Road demanding the release of Vadivel, their village head. 

On information, a team, led by DSP Geetha, resorted to a mild lathicharge and dispersed the crowd. In the police action, Chettiyapatti Nallapitchai (65) and Ponnalagu (31) sustained injuries and were rushed to Thuvarankurichi GH. 

Inspector Prabakaran while trying to disperse the mob was manhandled by the protestors. He reportedly sustained a fracture on his shoulder and collar bone and was taken to the GH. 

Tight security has been posted in the region to avoid escalation of the situation.