SALEM: A mob attacked a village late at night after a Vanniyar girl married a Dalit youth. Police so far arrested nine in this connection on Tuesday.

According to Vazhapadi police, Saravanan (29), of Adi Dravidar colony, Somampatti village near Vazhapadi, holds an MCA degree and is working in a private bank in Chennai. He fell in love with a private school teacher, Vanniya Priya (25) of Sommampatti.

The two had a registered marriage on March 3, 2014. Meanwhile the parents of Vanniya Priya made arrangements for her wedding, unaware that she was already married. The newly-married young woman informed Saravanan and he came to Salem and on Monday evening, the two approached the Superintendent of Police (SP) G Subbulakshmi. The SP instructed the Karipatti police to look into the matter.

Police in turn informed the parents and talked with them. The talks continued till night. The girl was stubborn and insisted that she would continue to remain with Saravanan as his wife. Following this, the police sent the couple to Saravanan’s home.

Around midnight, a mob entered Somampatti village. Police who were stationed there for protection tried to stop the mob but failed. The mob attacked several homes and vehicles in the village and hurdled petrol bombs.

In the attack, some houses and vehicles were partly damaged. Later the gang fled the spot. The SP reached the village and police were stationed in Somampatti, Mottur and Vilaripalayam villages to prevent untoward incidents.

On Tuesday, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Salem range, Vidhya D Kulkarni visited the spot and inquired.

Police registered a case and arrested Vanniya Priya’s relatives Pannerselvam, Kumar, Sudhakar, Nataraj, Kannan, Govindan, Chandran, Angamuthu and Semmalai and are looking for 20 other persons.

“The girl’s father is Salem south district Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) Auto Drivers’ Association leader and as well as a ward member of Vilaripalayam panchayat. He tried to convince the girl but she was firm in her decision. After the attack, police kept the couple in a safe place. Now the situation is under control,” a senior police officer said.

“On Tuesday, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Communist Party of India (CPI) workers visited the village. We think that they may organize some protest soon,” a senior official of Vazhapadi police told Express.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/Tension-Grips-Village-After-Vanniyar-Dalit-Love-Marriage/2015/06/30/article2895095.ece