Thevar Jayanthi turns violent in Tambaram

A large posse of police personnel was deployed in the Tambaram market area on Thursday following group clashes the previous night. Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

The tension in the air near the busy Shanmugam Road in Tambaram was palpable on Thursday.

M.R.M Street junction nearby resembled a fortress, with over 400 policemen deployed after Wednesday night’s clash that left seven persons injured.

A group clash broke out between members of two political outfits in the Tambaram market area, a little before midnight on Wednesday. According to the police, the clash was a result of previous enmity between the two outfits.

Members of Tambaram Thevar Peravai (TTP) were installing placards and flagposts all over the market area as part of Jayanthi celebrations of Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, late on Wednesday.

When they tried to install a flagpost on Muthuranga Mudali Street, they were interrupted by men who claimed to be from the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK). After heated arguments, the groups assaulted each other with soda bottles and iron rods, resulting in injuries to six men, all of who were admitted to private hospitals in Tambaram. One member from TTP reportedly sustained critical injuries and was treated in the intensive care unit of a private hospital.

CoP monitors situation

City police commissioner S. George, along with additional commissioners R. Thirugnanam and Abhash Kumar, and St. Thomas Mount deputy commissioner P. Saravanan visited the spot on Thursday.

Thevar Peravai leaders paid homage to their leader amid heavy police presence.

TMMK sources said for the past few days, tension had been brewing between Yakoob, president of their Kancheepuram distict unit, and E.S. Pandiyan, a local Thevar Peravai leader, over some petty vehicle parking issue.

Subsequently, police security was provided to both men. Further investigation into the attacks is on.