Tension gripped L. Abhishekapuram near Lalgudi on Monday evening after a group belonging to Mutherayar community allegedly assaulted a section of Dalits during the birth anniversary celebrations of Perumpidugu Mutherayar.
Irked over the alleged attack, a group of Dalits staged a protest demanding the arrest of the culprits.
Trouble started after a group of Mutherayars from Thiruvalarcholai village near Tiruchi were on their way riding two-wheelers to Koohur to garland the statue of Perumbidugu Mutherayar at the village.
They were reportedly raising slogans en route which apparently irked the other community. One of the residents of L. Abishekapuram reportedly rode his motorcycle into the procession and some of the Mutherayar youths fell down from their vehicles.
So, a group of the Mutherayars allegedly attacked a section of Dalits at L.Abishekapuram.
Angered over the attack, a group of Dalits staged a protest demanding the arrest of the assailants and sought the removal of the statue. Even as police and officials were holding talks with the villagers, some people allegedly pushed police personnel forcing the police to use force to chase the crowd.
Another group allegedly attacked a person by name Rajiv Gandhi belonging to Mutherayar community besides damaging the household articles and his vehicle at L. Abishekapuram.
Extra force
Additional police strength was immediately mobilised from neighbouring Perambalur and Ariyalur districts to curb any outbreak of clash between the two communities.
Superintendent of Police, Tiruchi, Nisha Parthiban monitored the situation at L. Abhishekapuram village, while Ariyalur Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Giri camped at Koohur village.
Police personnel have been deployed in neighbouring villages such as Idayatrumangalam, Anandhimedu and Nannnimangalam as a precautionary measure, the sources said.
