September 23, 2016
Bandh protesting the murder of Hindu Munnani spokesperson, Sasikumar turned violent in some parts of the city.
Miscreants targeted and attacked police and torched a jeep in Thudiyalur on the city outskirts.
A four-member gang fatally attacked Sasikumar, who was returning home last night. His body had 11 sickle injuries.
Condemning this, the Munnani had called for a State-wide dawn to dusk bandh.
As five Munnani activists were arrested in the morning, nearly 500 workers laid siege of the Big Bazaar Street Police station, seeking their release and blaming police failure to nab the killers. However, the situation was brought under control by City Police Commissioner, A Amalraj, who rushed to the spot and assured the release of the workers, after which the activists dispersed.
A police head constable, Bala was injured in stone throwing by two groups in Kottaimedu over closure of shops in the area. However, the crowd was dispersed by cane charge.
As Sasikumar’s body reached his residence, some miscreants torched a police jeep in Thudiyalur on Mettupalayam Road and targeted media persons, covering the funeral procession. Three police personnel sustained burn injuries, even as the vehicle became skeleton, as fire and rescue personnel rushed and put out the fire.
With reports of police vehicles being targeted, Amalraj and the District Collector, T.N. Hariharan, rushed to the area. Amid reports of torching four cars in and around the area, some miscreants indulged in arson and ransacked a few shops belonging to minority community.
There were also reports that some miscreants have hurled petrol bombs on places of worship at three places in the city, escalating tension.
However, with additional police force from nearby Tirupur, police are keeping strict vigil to bring the situation under control, they said.