Police raid village after bomb attack

Sixty-nine people, including 52 women, who had taken refuge in a nearby hill were arrested as they refused to return and police apprehended there could be more violence if they continued to stay there, they said.

The arrested hailed from V Pudupatti village, 40 km from here.

The clash between two groups of dalits, who were at loggerheads for the past several years, erupted a few days ago after some unidentified persons pelted stones at the houses of a rival group.

Police had arrested two persons two days ago in connection with the clash.

Meanwhile, over 200 dalits took refuge in a nearby hill, alleging that police, who were deployed in the village and near the hill, were harassing them.

Last night some miscreants hurled country bombs at the police team posted in the village but none was injured as the bombs did not explode.

SP Najmalhoda tried to persuade those who had taken refuge in the hill to return to the village but they refused, police said.

Apprehending more violence if the group continued to stay in the hill, police arrested the 69 people and also raided houses in the village to find if bombs had been stored.