Tamil Nadu police firing: Toll rises to 7

Additional police reinforcement have been brought from Tiruchirappalli,police said.

Violence broke out yesterday after news spread that Pandian had been detained at Tuticorin en route to Paramakudi when he was on his way to pay homage to Dalit leader Imanuel Sekar on his death anniversary.

Police used tear gas and batons before firing at the crowd at Paramakudi. Several people and police officials,including DIG Sandeep Mittal and SP Senthil Velan and DSP Ganesan were injured in the stone pelting. More than 15 vehicles were set ablaze in the violence.

Police said they had arrested 57 persons in Tirumangalam and more than 50 in Paramakudi for indulging in violence.

Local Dalit leaders blamed police for not making proper arrangements to manage the huge crowd expected for paying homage to the Dalit leader.

However,defending the police firing,Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had yesterday blamed some people for disrupting law and order “for their own political gains.”

“The protesters indulged in large-scale violence and torched police vehicles. Police opened fire in self defence and to protect public property,” Jayalalithaa,who announced Rs 1 lakh compensation to the next of kin of those killed,said.

Meanwhile,Ramanathapuram District Collector N Arun Roy said normalcy was returning and situation in most parts of the district was peaceful today.

A holiday was declared for all educational institutions in the district today,he said.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been promulgated in the district and caste leaders would not be allowed to enter into the district in view of the tense situation,he said.

Public properties worth Rs 2 crore had been damaged in the violence. Thirty buses and 15 police vehicles had been damaged in the arson and stone pelting.

Some level crossing gates and signal lights were also damaged,he said.