The Hindu : Group clash over temple consecration

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 17, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Group clash over temple consecration

By Our Staff Reporter

KARUR SEPT. 16. An eerie silence prevailed at Mettu Mahadanapuram near Kulithalai on the Karur-Tiruchi highway following a clash between two communities today over renovation of a temple.

Eighteen persons, including three women, were injured in stone-throwing incidents.

The police arrested 32 persons from both the communities.

While the renovation of the Maha Mariamman temple has nearly been completed, trouble was brewing between the communities over its consecration. Though a tense situation prevailed on Monday and some members of both communities almost clashed, police reinforcements defused the crisis. Regulatory orders in trouble-prone areas came into force and pickets were posted. A striking force has been deployed.

But today the simmering trouble reached a boiling point after one group "misunderstood'' the gathering of the other group in a nearby temple. It is also alleged that the flagstaff of a community was removed overnight.

While nine of the injured were taken to the Tiruchi Government hospital, three were being treated in the Kulithalai GH. The others were treated as outpatients.

All the arrested were remanded to custody and later lodged in the Tiruchi Central Prison.

Streets resembled a battlefield, as stones were lying strewn all over.

The area wore a deserted look, as men went into hiding leaving behind women and children.

The Superintendent of Police, Karur, Sandeep Mittal, and other top officials were camping in the village.

The situation in the village was stated to be under control.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States