Lorry with cattle stopped, 5 hurt in group clash at Palani

Members of the fringe outfit Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Social Democratic Party of India on the one hand and Hindu Makkal Katchi and BJP workers on the other clashed over the issue. Police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the clashing groups and prevent violence from spreading.

According to police, seven cows and a calf were being transported in a mini-lorry in “cruel conditions” when Sri Sendalankara Shenbaga Mannar Jeer (a priest working for the welfare and education of Dalit colonies), who was passing that way, questioned the lorry driver as to why they were treating the cattle in such a cruel manner. He also reported the matter to the local police. Police took the lorry to the station to check the papers when members of VCK and SDPI workers blocked traffic and started pelting stones at vehicles and buses.

While VCK workers contended that the cattle was being transported for rearing, HMK members alleged that the cows were being transported to slaughter houses without a valid permit. The priest also faced the ire of VCK workers, who hurled stones at his vehicle, forcing police to intervene and disperse the clashing groups. Police said cases had been registered against ‘unknown persons’ for indulging in violence and damaging buses. Deputy Superintendent of Police Venkatraman, who rushed to the spot, brought the situation under control after holding discussions  with the two groups.