DMK MLA "opens fire" during clash in TN, arrested

A land dispute near here between a realtor and a DMK legislator led to a violent clash and the latter allegedly fired at the opposite group, police said here on Sunday. MLA L Idhayavarman, property developer Kumar and three others who had allegedly assisted the legislator have been arrested today, a senior police official said.

Trouble started on Saturday after Kumar allegedly tried to level a "public land" so as to provide access to a parcel of his land at Sengadu village off Tiruporur near here. However, several villagers, the legislator representing Tiruporur, a suburb near here, and his father Lakshmipathy opposed the move since the land in question was public in nature that abutted a temple.

"It was essentially a civil dispute and an enquiry by the RDO (Revenue Divisional Officer) was pending for quite some time," the official said. Arguments led to a violent clash between a group of people led by the MLA and another by Kumar, who allegedly had "hired about 50 goons for his protection." In the melee, Idhayavarman had allegedly opened fire and a single barrel gun and a pistol used during the clash were later seized, he said adding though the MLA said that these were licensed firearms, the "license period has expired." Also, a bullet allegedly fired by the MLA grazed through a bystander causing injury to him and he too has preferred a police complaint against the legislator and a car on the spot too had "bullet marks," on the bonnet and windscreen.

The clash resulted in injuries to people from both groups and a number of two-wheelers were also set on fire leading to anxiety and tension briefly. To a question, the official told PTI that people from MLA's side have alleged that Kumar's group too had used firearms against them, which was being probed.

Before starting the land leveling work, the realtor had submitted a petition to the police alleging that the MLA had drained water into his land by creating a trench, without obtaining his permission. Clashes erupted despite a police party visiting the spot and advising both sides to maintain peace, he said.

A case has been registered under various sections of the IPC and the Arms Act and both the groups have filed complaint and counter plaints and aprobe was on.

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