Fisherman killed in caste clash in Ramanathapuram hamlet

Sources said that the two groups living in Dharga Valasai and Thuthi Valasai villages had a long-running dispute. In a sequel to the row, a clash erupted between them on Friday, when a group of youngsters from Dharga Valasai went to have dinner at a fast food outlet in Uchipuli, wearing t-shirts which had images of their caste leader printed on it. Youth of Thuthi Valasai ridiculed them. 

Angered by this, the youth of Dharga Valasai picked up a quarrel with them. Though elders in the village intervened and tried to separate them, their efforts went in vain. 

When the youngsters from Thuthi Valasai were on their way to Uchipuli they were attacked by youth of Dharga Valasai. In retaliation, the youth went to Dharga Valasai and attacked the residents on Saturday. 

Two fishermen, Nagaraj and Lakshmanan, both from Dharga Valasai, were riding on a bike to buy diesel for their boats, on Sunday midnight. When they crossed Alaikatha Valasai, a gang which was hiding behind trees attacked them with weapons. 

When the duo tried to escape they were hacked. In the incident, Nagaraj died on the spot and Lakshmanan sustained grievous injuries. On information police rushed to the spot, recovered the body of Nagaraj and sent it for post mortem.

Lakshmanan, who was seriously injured, was first taken to Ramanathapuram GH and later shifted to GRH at Madurai. Uchipuli Police had booked a case and are investigating the incident.