Cuddalore:
A group of persons set ablaze eight huts and ransacked an equal number in a Dalit colony at Pacharapalayam village in the district following a clash between caste Hindus and Dalits triggered by the teasing of a non-Dalit girl.
Seven Dalits suffered injuries-three in the clash and four burn injuries, officials said.
Cuddalore Sub-Collector Lalitha told reporters that police were maintaining tight vigil.
Vadalur Inspector T Balakrishnan said the clash occurred as a group of dalit youths were allegedly regularly teasing a non-dalit girl.
Twelve persons, six from either side, have been arrested he said, adding, police are searching for over 60 accused.
Meanwhile, over 300 activists of the Dalit-based Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi staged a road roko on the Cudddalore-Puducherry road demanding arrest of those involved in the attack on the Dalit colony.
On November 7, some 268 houses were torched, 54 vehicles destroyed, jewels and valuables looted in violence unleashed allegedly by caste Hindus on some Dalit colonies in Dharmapuri district after a man committed suicide over his daughter marrying a Dalit man.