Statue desecration spurs stone-throwing in Madurai

Fifteen Tamil Nadu transport corporation buses were damaged when agitators, demanding the arrest of Devendrakula Vellalar Federation president and legislative assembly member Krishnasamy for allegedly instigating violence in Tamil Nadu's southern districts, went on a stone-throwing spree. The agitators also burnt the MLA's effigy.

Earlier, the 1,000-odd agitators, including some 200 women, took out a procession from the Thevar statue at Goripalayam to the collectorate to condemn the desecration of the Muthuramalinga Thevar statue at Muthukulathur in Ramanathapuram district.

While returning, the agitators stoned buses parked inside the state bus station, damaging front glasses and window panes.

The police chased the miscreants away. However, the situation near the Thevar statue remained tense. All shops in Goripalayam were closed.

Meanwhile, reports said tension continued to prevail in Muthukulathur, Kamudhi and nearby areas for the fourth day. Shops remained closed and buses were off the road.

UNI