TRIVANDRUM, 29 December — At least one person was killed and three, including a policeman, were injured after a violent mob clashed with the police in Thumba area near here. Police dispersed the mob, which attacked the police with crude bombs, by firing 19 rounds.
Though the area remained tense, the situation is under control, the city police commissioner Rajan Singh, who escaped a bomb attack, said. The deceased has been identified as Verghese, a local resident.
Trouble started after two groups of people belonging to the Christian parishes of Puthanthop and Punnamoodu attacked each other with stones and other weapons following a dispute during the Christmas celebrations over harassment of a local woman by outsiders.
Violence erupted yesterday after the local people attacked the police with bombs when they reached the area at 10 a.m. to arrest those who were responsible for the Christmas day violence. The police had to retreat following bomb attacks by the mob of around 30 people. They returned with more forces and started firing.
The mob that sped the area after police chased them away returned in boats and threw bombs at the police from the sea.
The policeman, Babu, 26, who was hurt in the bomb attack, was admitted to the Medical College Hospital with serious injuries. A strong posse of police force has been deployed in the area to prevent any flare-up of violence. Church officials and senior police officers are camping in the area in an attempt to defuse tension.
