An inspector of police providing security to Corporation officials during an eviction drive was assaulted while trying to prevent an immolation bid by two women at the site.
M.Saravana Ravi, attached to the K. Pudur police station, sustained a head injury in the attack and was admitted to a private hospital.
Eviction operations on 1.25 acres of Corporation land allotted for a park had been going on since morning on Sappani Temple Street. According to Corporation officials, the value of the evicted land is Rs. 6 crore. A posse of policemen was deployed at the site to assist the Corporation officials, led by Chief Town Planning Officer, M. Rakkappan.
Several unauthorised constructions were razed by earth movers on the Corporation land.
A group of people thronging the site attempted to disrupt the proceedings. Irate family members of Saravanan, an office assistant at the Vadipatti Taluk office, his neighbour Vijaya, and others tried to prevent the officials from carrying out their work.
The police said that Saravanan’s wife Rajeswari and Vijaya sought to douse themselves with kerosene in an apparent immolation bid.
The inspector instructed women police constables to bring the situation under control.
In the melee, he was struck on the head with an iron rod, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Anna Nagar) Karunanithi. The police have booked a case of attempt to murder against nine persons. Six persons, including the family members of Saravanan, were arrested. The accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
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