Clashes between two caste groups in Tamil Nadu's Salem, shops burnt

Clashes broke out between two caste groups in Tamil Nadu's Salem district on Thursday allegedly over the entry of a community inside a temple.

Preparations were made for the Chithirai festival in an Amman temple at Deevattipatti. People from a community had demanded that they should be allowed to enter and pray at the temple which was allegedly refused by other community leaders.

This led to multiple levels of talks but on Thursday, the situation went out of hand, leading to a riot-like situation where several shops were burnt down.

Many cops were deployed in the area and the clashes were brought under control. Nearly 200 people were detained and 19 have been arrested, police said.

Arun Kabilan, Superintendent of Police, Salem, said, "There was an issue involving a temple among different communities. There was a peace committee meeting today at tehsildar's office. But after the meeting, one section got agitated and came on the road."

Police said a side started throwing stones after which was retaliated by the other community.

"Stone pelters have been identified and we have arrested 19 so far," Kabilan said, adding that people were arrested based on videos of the incident.