Madurai : Unrest broke out at Melavalavu on the outskirts of Madurai after a 30-year-old man’s right hand was severed and another person suffered injuries in an attack stemming from a caste conflict after a manju virattu event on Sunday night. Police arrested two men and launched a hunt for the other suspects. Superintendent of police N Devanathan visited the village to oversee security arrangements as additional personnel were deployed to avert further clashes.
Around 10.30pm, seven men travelled to Ettimangalam on motorcycles while allegedly intoxicated and carrying sickles. The group allegedly attacked Ramkumar, 34, without realising that he also belonged to the kallar community. Subsequently, police arrested Prakash, 20, of Alagiripatti and Nithish Kumar, 20, of Melavalavu.
Police said they were searching for the organisers who had made their team wait at the event. The group later allegedly damaged VCK banners at Boothamangalam and Attapatti before escaping. Relatives of the injured men assembled outside Melavalavu police station that night and sought action against those responsible. Melavalavu police reached the area and registered a case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Dalit residents also held a demonstration in Melavalavu seeking the suspects’ arrest. VCK members held another protest near the Thiruvalluvar statue near Anna bus stand. Teams are searching for the remaining suspects. Residents withdrew their protest after the arrests.
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