5 cops among 10 injured in clash between Dalit groups

Ramanathapuram (TN), Sept 11 (PTI) Ten persons, including five police personnel, were injured in a clash between two groups of Dalits during a procession to pay homage to Immanuel Sekar, a Dalit leader, at Paramakudi in the district on his death anniversary today. As the procession reached Burma Colony locality, where backward Thevar community people were living, the rallyists were asked not to burst crackers. While one group of Dalits supported it, the other opposed, resulting in a clash between them, police said. Police said one group, loyal to Puthia Tamizhagam leader S Krishanswamy, damaged ten houses in the locality. Five members of a family, including three children, were injured in the violence. Two Sub-Inspectors and three constables received serious cut injuries in the melee, they said. The violence had erupted despite deployment of 1,500 policemen, led by six superintendents of police, on security duty for the anniversary. Earlier this morning, Tamil Nadu Minister Suba Thangavelan and DMK MP Ritheesh Kumar paid homage at the samadhi of Immanuel Sekar. Police reinforcements had been sent to the Paramakudi area where security had been tightened further. The situation had been brought under control, DIG of Police Amal Raj said. The injured had been hospitalised, police said.