BJP stokes tension on EVK Sampath Salai

Chennai: BJP cadres resorted to violence on EVK Sampath Salai on Wednesday evening in which three cops, including an Inspector, suffered injuries. The cadres were resorting to a road roko after they claimed a Muslim youth was armed with a petrol bomb. The entire road wore a deserted look following violence with all the commercial establishments downing their shutters quickly.

The cadres who began protesting with slogans switched to hurling stones on the cops who resorted to the use of force to chase discipline the mob.  It all began when the crowd saw four persons park their bikes near Maharashtra Mandal on EVK Sampath Salai and walking on with their helmets at around 5 pm.

The mob forced the group to reveal their identities, which is when they found a Muslim youth and began chasing him. Rumours flew thick and fast that the youth Mohammed Meeran (21), a resident of Anna Nagar, was carrying a petrol bomb in his scooter glove cabinet and this charged up the entire mob.

The youth, who was thrashed by the mob, was handed over to Vepery Police who found that he was working in an acid manufacturing unit behind Maharashtra Mandal.

The proprietor of the firm came and vouched for the boy even as the petrol bomb claimed by the mob turned out to be a raw material stored in a bottle and meant for processing at the unit.

In the melee, Egmore Inspector Settu was injured in his head and two other policemen who suffered injuries were also admitted to hospital. Tiruvallur West unit BJP vice-president Kailash too was injured.