Unidentified 7-member gang attacks SDPI district secretary

Iqbal, who runs a tyre shop on Patel Road in Ram Nagar, was having tea in a shop nearby, when a gang of around seven persons came in three two-wheelers and attacked him with wooden logs around 3.45 pm.

In the attack, Iqbal suffered bleeding injury on his head and was rushed to a private hospital by public. After first-aid, he was taken to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) for further treatment.

On receiving information, Deputy Commissioner (Law & Order) Balaji Saravanan visited the crime scene and also inquired Iqbal at the hospital. The police scanned images recorded on the CCTV camera fixed in the locality and found the accused to be a seven-member gang.

Though the police could not ascertain the exact reason behind the attack, it is suspected to be a retaliatory attack after a petrol bomb was hurled on the Hindu Munnani party office.

Special teams of police have been formed to nab the culprits. Meanwhile, a large number of Muslim outfits gathered on the CMCH premises, where Iqbal has been undergoing treatment.

Then, two members of a Hindu outfit, who kept a watch on the members of other faith, gathered at the hospital, were thrashed severely. The Race Course police rescued them and further inquiries are on.

Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) president MH Jawaharullah visited Iqbal at the hospital.  

Meanwhile, members of Muslim outfits held a demonstration at Aathupalam area in evening, demanding the arrest of the culprits involved in the attack against SDPI functionary.

In view of the escalating tension between Hindu and Muslim outfits, the district administration has called for a peace meeting between members of both the communities.