Clash between civilians, army averted in Tamil Nadu

By IANS,

Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu) : Civil authorities intervened Tuesday to avert an ugly confrontation between defence personnel and locals over a dispute, the police said.

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Both sides have alleged wrongdoing on the part of the other.

Matters came to a head when defence authorities dug a trench to prevent use of a pathway through their area which was being used by civilians but to which the latter objected.

Ruling DMK councillor S. Selvam was detained inside the cantonment briefly but was set free after the police and a local legislator intervened.

“I was bound hand and foot, assaulted and abused by army personnel,” Selvam told reporters.

The crowd also blocked traffic for over three hours, eyewitnesses told IANS.