Cop injured in group clash in Cumbum

According to police, the two communities were living peacefully in Kattupallivasal area, in Cumbum, for long. Recently, there began a dispute regarding the use of water from a public tap.

As the  tap is located close to a mosque, men from one community would be washing their hands and legs after completing their prayers while women from other community would be using the water for drinking. Hence, there arose a dispute between the two communities. 

On Thursday evening, when a woman was fetching water from the pipe, men from other community had gone to wash their legs. The woman had opposed this and the men had allegedly abused her. When the woman informed it to the members of her community, men had gone to the prayer hall and abused the women there. 

Thereafter, men from both communities registered a complaint with the Cumbum police. Inspector Ulaganathan, held talks with both the communities. Even as he was conversing, members from both the communities began abusing each other and started pelting stones. 

In the incident, Ulaganathan sustained injuries on his head and was rushed to Cumbum GH for treatment. Police force has now been increased in the area to beef up security. Eighteen men, from both communities, have been booked. Theni SP, Baskaran, inspected the spot.