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Statue removal sparks violence

By IANS

Madurai : Angry Dalits went on the offensive damaging over 20 vehicles here in Tamil Nadu Friday after a statue of a Dalit leader was moved to a police station.

Six people travelling by a woman were injured in the violence, official sources said. The police arrested 35 people after the violence.

According to the sources, a partially damaged icon of the late Veeran Sundaralingam was “installed” in Mandela Nagar around 3 a.m. by members of the Devendrakula Vellalar Dalit community.

Sensing caste tensions, the authorities removed it to the neighbouring Perungudi police station.

As rumours of its “desecration” spread, Dalits stoned buses and private vehicles demanding its reinstallation at a different location in the city.