Bandh in Somanur after VCK rally turns violent

Coimbatore: Areas like Samalapuram, Somanur and Karumathampatty wore a deserted look on Saturday after political parties decided to go on a strike condemning the attack on a car by members of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) on Friday.

D Prabhakaran, a social worker, told TOI, “We called for the day-long strike after members of VCK damaged a car for no reason on Friday afternoon. We realised that it was an act to provoke people in the area and disturb peace. Political parties including AIADMK, DMK, CPI, CPM and KMDK took part in the strike. About 1,000 shops in the areas were shut till 6pm.”

VCK members had carried out a procession from Karumathampatty Road Junction to Somanur Road at 2.30pm on Friday, police sources said. “The procession had two vans, 20 cars and 18 two-wheelers. It was meant to pay homage to a dalit man hailing from Segudanthali in Karumathampatty, who died 18 years ago. While the procession was moving towards Somanur Road, a car came from the opposite direction. It was driven by Ramesh Kumar P, a power loom owner from Indira Colony near Sedarpalayam in Karumathampatty. This irked the VCK leaders, who felt that it was not appropriate for someone to drive from the opposite direction when they were carrying out the procession,” a police officer said.

“Party cadre began to quarrel with Ramesh, and as the conversation heated up, they assaulted him and damaged the car using wooden logs and stones. They broke the wind shield and also threatened Ramesh,” the officer added.

The accused were identified as VCK deputy secretary Kaniyamuthan, Pala Shanmugam, AK R Moorthy, Ramesh, Palanisamy, Antony Samy, Ramkumar, among others. They have been booked under various sections of IPC.


Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.