A protest demonstration organised by the villagers on Friday near Ambur demanding the removal of a Tasmac shop turned violent.
According to the villagers, officials failed to act on their repeated plea to remove a Tasmac liquor shop located near Government Higher Secondary School in Azhinjikuppam village. To drive home their point, they organised a novel protest in which they conducted a ‘funeral rally’ for liquor bottles.
As the procession was nearing the liquor shop, which was kept closed in view of the protest, the crowd reportedly attempted to damage the shop. At one point the scene turned violent with police resorting to lathi charge and the protesters resorting to stone pelting. Windscreens of the vehicle of Peranambattu tahsildar were smashed in the incident. The protesters also burnt tyres.
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Eleven persons allegedly engaged in violence have been arrested. Superintendent of Police P.Pagalavan said the tahsildar was ready to close the shop and relocate it. But the protesters wanted it vacated instantly. The situation was under control and police picketing was in place, he said.