Fifteen persons were injured when two groups of caste Hindus and Dalits clashed during a temple festival at Uthapuram here, police said today.
Police made a lathicharge to disperse the warring groups after the clash erupted last night when the idol of presiding deity of Sri Muthalamman temple was taken out in a procession as part of the annual festival, they said.
A dispute over placing a garland on a tree triggered the clash, police said adding they have registered cases against 70 persons belonging to both the sides and so far arrested 21 of them.
As tension prevailed in the village, which has witnessed caste clash in the past, more than 800 police personnel have been posted there to prevent further trouble.
Bus services were suspended in the area and resumed only late this evening, police said.
During the clash, six two-wheelers were set on fire and the windscreen of the jeep of tahsildar was damaged.
The injured have been hospitalised.
The clash came amid the pendency of a petition in the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court seeking to quash an order of Revenue Divisional Officer prohibiting the conduct of the temple festival, citing objection by a rival group.
Uthapuram was in limelight for an 'untouchability' wall erected separating the entry and exit of Scheduled Caste people of the village after a clash in 1989. Later the wall was demolished.
Then the SC people demanded right to worship in the temple and after clashes the peace committee meeting was convened and it was agreed to conduct the festival smoothly.
