SALEM: Clashes broke out between scheduled caste people and those from a dominant caste during a temple festival at Theevattipatti in Salem district of Tamil Nadu on Thursday.
Initial reports indicate that the scheduled caste people were not allowed to participate in the festival and entering the temple, which led to the confrontation.
The Salem district administration held a peace committee meeting in the morning. "A dispute suddenly arose which turned into a physical altercation," stated a police officer.
Shops and vehicles were set on fire. Stones and petrol-filled bottles were thrown. The temple festival was cancelled following the clashes.
Salem range DIG E S Uma, SP A K Arun Kabilan and other police officers were engaged in discussions with the protesters when this report was filed.