Tamil Nadu - Dindigul   

50 held in connection with temple dispute

Staff Reporter

Vedasandur Deputy Superintendent of Police injured in mob attack

UNEASY CALM: A road at Vilampatti village in Dindigul district wearing a deserted look on Wednesday. — Photo: G. Karthikeyan

DINDIGUL: Over 50 persons were arrested in connection with a group clash at Vilampatti village in Nilakottai taluk, near here, on Wednesday over a temple dispute.

The Superintendent of Police, A. Pari, said that heavy police force has been deployed at the village. Orders have been promulgated banning assembly of people in public places in Nilakottai Sub-division, including Vilampatti village. Cases were filed on the basis of complaints lodged by Thiripura Sundari, daughter of the temple trustee, Saravana Kumar, the Executive Officer of Sri Muthalamman Temple and the Tahsildar, Nilakottai.

The tension-gripped village wore a deserted look this morning.

Over 15 police personnel, including the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vedasandur, K. Rudrasenan, were injured, as an unruly mob attacked the Vilampatti police station on Tuesday night.

The injured were treated at the Nilakottai taluk hospital.

When the officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, led by the Executive Officer, attempted to open hundis of the temple at the village, local people protested it as it was done only in the presence of the people and the amount should be utillised for common purpose only.

But the Executive Officer told that the hundi collection would be deposited in a bank in the name of the temple. After heated arguments, a section of people assaulted the HR&CE staff and the daughter of the temple trustee, Thiripura Sundari. They damaged a car of the HR&CE staff and later several police vehicles.

The indignant mob had pelted stones on policemen and officials.

The police resorted to a lathi charge and fired a few rounds to disperse the crowd.

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