Traffic on the Tiruchi–Dindigul National Highway came to a standstill for over two hours on Friday evening after residents blocked the road near Kallupatti, condemning the arrest of two persons.
The protest, which lasted from 6 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., was sparked by a recent altercation between members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) and MBC communities during a temple festival in Kallupatti. According to police sources, a dispute broke out between both communities, prompting each side to file complaints at the Vayyampatti police station.
Based on a complaint filed by members of the SC community, two individuals from the MBC community were arrested under the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act on Friday. The arrest led to strong resentment in the village, culminating in the highway blockade.
Though complaints were registered by both sides, only the arrest of MBC members led to tension. The protest resulted in significant traffic congestion for several kilometres on the national highway.
Superintendent of Police S. Selvanagarathinam, along with the Srirangam Revenue Divisional Officer, arrived at the scene and held talks with the protesters. The officials assured the residents that their grievances would be investigated and action would be taken. Following the assurance, the protest was withdrawn and traffic was gradually restored.
Published – August 01, 2025 10:57 pm IST
