Following the visit of Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) founder John Pandian, a Hindu caste couple was attacked by 15 Dalit people with iron rods in Thoothukudi on Monday, according to the NIE report.
Police said that John Pandian visited Paraipatti village in Nakkalamuthanappati panchayat to hoist his party flag and after the event, Pandian spoke about the problems between the Dalits of Paraipatti village and the caste Hindus of Nakkalamuthanpatti over a drainage channel.
Soon after he left, Dalits attacked caste Hindu couple Venkatasamy and his wife Prema Devi with iron rods. Venkatasamy suffered severe injuries and Prema Devi suffered injuries on her right hand. Both were taken to the Kovilpatti Government Hospital.
The caste Hindus took refuge at the Sakthi Vinayagar Temple in Nakkalamuthanpatti and the Assistant Sub-Inspector Murali Ramba promised to arrest the accused.
Fifteen people were charged for the crime and five were arrested which include Irulappan, Sajthivel, Muniasamy, Ramar and Muneeswaran, according to the NIE report.