Ramanathapuram: Twelve persons, including the Devipattinam Panchayat President, were arrested on Saturday in connection with the clash between two groups of people over playing of musical instruments during a religious procession near a place of worship of another community in the district, police said.
Trouble erupted yesterday when authorities of the place of worship at Devipattinam asked the processionists to pass the area without playing the instruments in view of the prayer time there.
Police fired three rounds in the air after a lathicharge failed to disperse the clashing groups.
Five persons were injured in the clash and police arrested people from both the groups.
A heavy police force has been deployed in the town where the situation was under control, sources said.
PTI
