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Desecration of statue sparks violence in Madras

Tension prevailed in Avaniapuram, on the outskirts of Madurai, following the desecration of a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar early today.

Madurai police said the statue, installed in the Madurai Municipal Colony, was found broken this morning. Immediately, people in the colony resorted to a blockade of the Madurai-Aruppukottai road, demanding the arrest of the culprits.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Jangid and Madurai Rural Superintendent of Police Sanjay Nag rushed to the spot.

Vehicular movement on the road remained suspended and traffic was diverted. There were no reports of violence.

But violence broke out elsewhere. In Madras, 10 buses of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation were damaged in stone-throwing by students in the evening.

Police sources said the students of a city college hostel staged a road blockade. They also damaged medians installed on the roads.

Vehicular traffic was affected for more than 90 minutes, until order was restored. Protection has been provided to a Thevar statue in the area.

In Tindivanam, miscreants believed to be workers of the Dalit Liberation Panthers stoned a clinic owned by Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam district general secretary Masilamani, besides damaging several other shops.

UNI

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Tension in Aurangabad over statue desecration

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