KOZHIKODE: Violence erupted in the Apsara Theatre here on Wednesday night over a ten-minute break due to a technical glitch while screening the latest Malayalam film ‘Premam’ and several viewers and policemen were injured. The rioters tore the screen and stoned the theatre and also damaged police vehicles.
The city police have taken into custody eight persons and registered cases against about 100 in connection with the violence. The arrest of three persons will be recorded on Thursday, said Asharaf Theng-alakandiyil, Town circle inspector.
As the film was halted after intermission due to the fault in the digital system, the viewers in the front row started damaging the seats and the theatre operators threatened to cancel the show if they continued the violence.
The crowd refused to listen to the request of the management and ransacked the premises. A huge police force was deployed inside the theatre, but the violence spread.
The attackers damaged the screen and the police had to use force to disperse them. The mob fled the scene, but later gathered outside and pelted stones at the theatre and the policemen.
Several viewers and policemen suffered injuries in the melee. The front glass panes of the theatre were also shattered in stone- pelting.
The theatre authorities said the screen worth about '1.5 lakh was damaged. The technical glitches were beyond their control, they said and added if the viewers reacted violently, it would be difficult for them to operate the theatre.
“We will initiate strong action against the perpetrators of the violence who also damaged the police vehicles. A case will be registered against them for damaging public property,” city police Commissioner P.A. Valsan said.
