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Local people clash with police at Vengara

Staff Reporter

Four persons hospitalised

MALAPPURAM: Tension continued throughout the night and the morning at Vengara town, near here, following a clash between the local people and the police. Twenty-three people were arrested in connection with the incident. Four persons, including a policeman, have been hospitalised with injuries.

The problem started when the sub-inspector, P. K. Manoj Kumar, questioned the use of cell phone by an autorickshaw driver on Tuesday night. Mr. Kumar reportedly tried to grab the phone from the autorickshaw driver, Muneer, 20, during a routine inspection. The police said Mr. Muneer slapped the sub-inspector.

Mr. Muneer was taken into custody. A mob marched to the police station, alleging that the driver had been beaten up. The police called in more forces and the mob was caned. A pitched battle ensued as the mob and the police hurled stones at each other. The police beat up whoever they found. Autorickshaw drivers said the police destroyed four of their vehicles.

Over a dozen people, including a few policemen, were injured in the melee.

Those admitted to the hospital were Unnikrishnan, 28; Ashraf, 27; Shani, 25; and A. Chathu, a policeman at Tirurangadi station.

Tension continued through Wednesday morning as the police rounded up more young men. However, they were let off after talks with the civic authorities.

Vengara and its fringes observed a hartal till Wednesday afternoon. Vehicles did not ply through Vengara till afternoon as stones remained scattered all over the road.

Many shops and vehicles were damaged in the incident. Traders blamed both the police and the autorickshaw drivers for unleashing violence in the town.

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