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Shoot-at-sight ordered in TN district

Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, rocked by caste clashes and police firings, in which eight people were killed during the last two days.

Inspector general of police (southern zone) D Manoharan said over telephone from Ramanathapuram that no untoward incident was reported from any part of the district during the last 12 hours.

At least 2,000 police personnel, including two companies of the Central Reserve Police Force, were deployed in the affected areas to maintain law and order. Near-normalcy was prevailing in the district, he added.

He said 30 people were taken into custody in connection with the violence and some lethal weapons were also seized in the district.

Additional director general of police S Kumarasamy, who reached Ramanathapuram this morning, visited the affected areas.

Meanwhile, a police constable posted at Paramakudi, died of heart attack, police sources said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said Central Reserve Police Force and Rapid Action Force battalions numbering 500 had been deployed in Ramanathapuram district, rocked by caste clashes during the last two days, and the situation there had been brought under control.

Karunanidhi warned of stern action against those instigating riots.

The chief minister sanctioned Rs 100,000 each to the families of the five people killed in police firings during the clashes.

He also sanctioned Rs 200,000 each to the families of the two persons killed in the riots and to those injured in the incidents, besides Rs 300,000 each to the owners of the 25 shops destroyed in arson in the district.

UNI

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