Tamil Nadu: Gang Harasses Schoolgirl, Vandalizes Village; Five Arrested After Protest
In a shocking incident in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu, a gang of at least 10 men harassed a Class X girl as she was returning home after her public examination on Monday. The situation escalated when they threatened her brother, followed the girl to her residence, and proceeded to ransack the house and damage vehicles, creating widespread panic in Veeraganallur village.
Violent Vandalism and Escape
The gang, armed with hammers and logs, smashed window panes of the victim's house and several other homes in the village. They pelted stones, damaged ceiling fans in multiple residences, and vandalized motorcycles and autorickshaws parked in front of homes. Before villagers could apprehend them, the miscreants escaped on bikes, performing dangerous stunts that alarmed bystanders.
Police Action and Arrests
Based on complaints from residents, Tiruttani police registered a case and arrested five youths: Kishore (22), Arunkumar (19), Vijay (26), Pargunam (19), and Meganathan (26), all from VCR Kandigai village. Police efforts are ongoing to trace the remaining five suspects who are currently absconding.
Incident Details and Harassment
According to police reports, the Class X student from a government high school in Amirthapuram traveled by bus to Veeraganallur on Monday afternoon. Her brother later picked her up on a motorcycle to take her home. While crossing a forested stretch, some youths made inappropriate comments and created a ruckus. The girl's brother warned them before taking her away, but the gang later followed them to their home.
Villagers' Protest and Road Blockade
Following the gang's violent actions, more than 100 villagers gathered and held a road blockade on the Tiruttani-RK Pet state highway, demanding immediate arrest of the miscreants. The protest disrupted traffic for nearly an hour. After receiving information, a police team rushed to the spot and held negotiations with the protesters, leading to the withdrawal of the blockade.
Note: This incident highlights concerns about public safety and harassment in rural areas, with authorities taking swift action to address community grievances.
