Tension prevailed in M. Perumapalayam village in Vazhapadi on Sunday night after the police removed the statue of Ambedkar that was installed without permission.
Members of Adi Dravidar community installed the statue on Saturday night at the public place in the village without obtaining permission. Superintendent of Police (Prohibition) Subramani, Vazhapadi Tahsildar Sivakumar, DSP Somasundaram and police personnel asked the villagers to remove the statue.
But Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi cadre and the villagers gathered in large numbers and refused to remove the statue. Altercation broke between the cadre and the police and Superintendent of Police G. Subbulakshmi rushed to the spot and held talks. However, the talks did not yield any results and tension escalated.
Police personnel were posted in large numbers to prevent untoward incidents. On Sunday night, the police personnel removed the statue. As many as 50 VCK cadre who tried to prevent it were taken into custody. The police continue to remain in the village and the situation is under control.
