New Delhi: A day after protests intensified in Kallakurichi district over the death of Class 12 girl student, Tamil Nadu Minister EV Velu on Monday said that the police have arrested 278 people, who were involved in intensifying the protests.
While speaking to the media, the minister said a total of 67 vehicles including 37 school buses, cars and tractors were torched by protesters. 48 two-wheelers including police vehicles were set ablaze and over 108 got injured due to the violence. "If the intention was to demand justice, why set things ablaze?" Minister EV Velu questioned, as quoted by news agency ANI.
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"CM has called officials to make a team & probe the violence as per High Court's orders. A few petitions have also been received from parents requesting to open school soon. We will take this to the CM," the minister told the media.
"While investigation & legal procedures in the case were ongoing, rumors attracted people from various districts who acted violently. Protests are respectable but only when they are peaceful," he further said.
Of the 278 people arrested, 22 are minors. "We won't indulge in any politics on this. We will arrest all accused," the minister asserted.
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