Clash Between Groups
Police officials pacifying residents of Thirumalayampalayam and Adi Tamizhar Peravai activists when they picketed the residence of the Collector in the city on Monday. Clash between groups belonging to two communities in Thirumalayampalayam, near Madukkarai, about 22 km from the city, led to tense moments on Sunday night and Monday afternoon. Clash between groups belonging to two communities in Thirumalayampalayam, near MadukkaraiA group of people led by activists of Adi Tamizhar Peravai thronged the District Collector’s bungalow at Race Course seeking action against a group of caste Hindus for the alleged assault on members of the Arundhadhiyar community. According to the police, it is learnt that M. Sivakumar had accidentally hit his two-wheeler with that of R. Manikandan at a petrol bunk in Thirumalayampalayam.
A wordy duel that ensued ended up in a fisticuff with Sivakumar being reportedly bashed up by Manikandan and his father. Mr.Sivakumar, admitted to a hospital for the reported injuries, in his complaint with the Kande Gounden Chavadi police (KG Chavadi) had stated that Manikandan and his father had abused him using the caste name.
The Adi Tamizhar Peravai activists who visited Thirumalayampalayam to inquire into the incident were allegedly beaten up by a group belonging to the caste Hindus. This resulted in police picking up persons from either side and registering cases. One group picketed the KG Chavadi police station on Sunday night demanding that the police enforce the law in a fair and unbiased manner. On Monday afternoon, more than 250 residents belonging to the Arundhadhiyar community picketed the Collector’s bungalow at Race Course.
They accused the personnel at the police station of acting in favour of the caste Hindus and presented a memorandum to the Collector seeking the arrest of the caste Hindus responsible for the attack. Meanwhile, the Revenue Divisional Officer (Coimbatore), M. Balachandran and the South Tahsildar, T. Mohandoss, held talks with both the communities. As a matter of precaution, the revenue officials along with Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore Rural District, G. Karthikeyan, Additional Superintendent of Police, K. Rajendran and Deputy Superintendent of Police, K. Kumarasamy are camping at Thirumalayampalayam. The police on the basis of complaints filed by both the groups have already arrested 46 persons and cases have been registered against them.
