The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Tension in Pudupattinam, policemen injured

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Monday, Aug 18, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Tension in Pudupattinam, policemen injured

V.Venkatasubramanian

KANCHEEPURAM: Tension gripped Pudupattinam near Sadras on the East Coast Road after two groups of people clashed on Sunday afternoon. Traffic on the ECR through Pudupattinam area was disrupted for nearly 4 hours.

Sources said cadres claiming to belong to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, were proceeding to Chennai to take part in a meeting organised by their party, made a brief halt at Pudupattinam bazaar for lunch at around 2-30 p.m. Some of them approached a nearby TASMAC shop and allegedly took away the beverages by force.

Some others who had lunch in nearby hotels refused to pay the bill amount claiming that they were charged ‘extra’ by the hoteliers. When the owner of a biriyani stall insisted that they settle the bill, the visitors allegedly attacked the stall owner and his staff with wooden logs.

As the news spread, a group of people gathered at the bazaar and attacked the visitors. Subsequently, another group of cadres belonging to the same party, who had reached Pudupattinam by then joined their colleagues and retaliated. Windscreens of some buses and vans passing through Pudupattinam were damaged.

Meanwhile, vehicular traffic through Purupattinam was diverted at different points. A pitched battle ensued between the groups at around 4-30 p.m. when both the groups started pelting stones .

Police who arrived at the spot were not able to control the groups. A few policemen sustained minor injuries. Meanwhile, a huge contingent of police headed by the Superintendent of Police, Kancheepuram, K.Periaiya reached the spot and defused the tension.

Traffic was restored on the ECR through Pudupattinam around 6-30 p.m, police said.

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