Tamil Nadu: Boats, fishing nets set on fire in group clash triggered by murder of fisherman in Cuddalore

CUDDALORE: Tension prevailed at Thazhanguda coastal hamlet in Cuddalore district of Tami Nadu following a clash between two groups in which several boats and fishing nets were set ablaze and two-wheelers and four-wheelers were damaged on Saturday night.


The violent clash was triggered by the murder of a fisherman by the members of the opposite gang on Saturday night due to local body election-related rivalry.

Police have so far arrested five people in connection with the murder of the fisherman and launched a hunt for 12 others involved in the crime.

The cops have arrested 19 people in connection with arson and launched a hunt for six other people, who have absconded.

Police said rivalry prevailed between a group led by former Gunduppalavadi panchayat union president K Masillamani (42) and a group led by the present president of the civic body Mathiazhagan.

Masillamani's brother K Mathivanan (39) was returning home in his motorcycle around 9pm on Saturday when a gang of more than 10 members armed with sharp weapons waylaid him and attacked him. Mathivanan abandoned his bike and attempted to flee but the gang chased him and hacked him to death.

As soon as the news of the murder spread, supporters of Masillamani gathered in large numbers and attacked the supporters of Mathiazhagan and ransacked their houses damaging the household appliances leading to a violent clash between the members of the two groups. Twenty-five fishing boats and several fishing nets were set on fire and 12 two-wheelers and three four-wheelers were damaged. Four houses were ransacked by the violent mob.

A police team led by superintendent of police M Sree Abhinav rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Fire and rescue services personnel reached the village and doused the fire.

Police recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem examination to Cuddalore government general hospital.
A heavy police force was deployed at the coastal hamlet to prevent any untoward incident.

Police have booked cases against the members of the two gangs following complaints and counter complaints.

Supporters of Mathiazhagan were booked under sections 147, 148, 341, 294 (b), 324 and 302 of the Indian penal code (IPC) while Masillamani's supporters were booked under sections 147, 148, 294 (b), 427, 435, 448, 379 and 506 (ii) of the IPC and section 4 of TNPPD Act.

A hunt has been launched to nab the absconding people.