The police on Thursday resorted to a lathicharge to disperse residents of three villages who blocked the Villupuram-Puducherry Highway at Thiruvandarkovil demanding the immediate arrest of a lorry driver for his involvement in an accident that led to the death of three persons.
Ayyanar (36) of Chinna Babu Samudram, Murugan alias Muthamizh (42) of Periya Babu Samudram and Saravanan (34) of Rajaputhiripalayam were going from Madagadipet to Puducherry on a two-wheeler on Wednesday evening when they were fatally knocked down by the speeding lorry. The driver sped away after the incident.
As the news of the death of the three persons spread, irate locals along with relatives of the victims blocked the Villupuram-Puducherry Highway demanding the arrest of the lorry driver for rash and negligent driving. A team of police personnel reached the spot and tried to pacify the crowd.
As the protestors refused to budge even after repeated persuasion to lift the blockade the police resorted to a lathicharge and chased them away.
Traffic was disrupted for over two hours on the highway due to the protest.
