Amid raging row over the Mullaperiyar dam issue, stray violence was reported in some parts of Tamil Nadu today by some protesters setting a bus on fire and targetting commercial establishments owned by Keralites.
The incidents came two days after some anti-social elements allegedly pelted stones at Ayyappa devotees from Tamil Nadu in Iddukki district where the 116-year-old dam that has triggered a fresh war of words, is located.
In Chennai a few shops, including a hotel, came under attack even as police foiled a bid to target a popular Kerala-based jewellery showroom, police said.
Security has been stepped up in the city as the row over the dam escalated with both Tamil Nadu and Kerala upping the ante on the issue.
Jayalalithaa had appealed to the people of Kerala not to indulge in acts of 'senseless violence and vandalism over an imaginary non-issue'.
On the other hand, an all-party meeting in Kerala yesterday stuck to the state's demand for a new dam in place of the existing one, disregarding opposition by Tamil Nadu which insists that the present structure is safe.
A Kerala-bound bus was set ablaze in Gudalur in Theni district by some protesters after they asked the passengers to alight.
In Coimbatore, 40 persons, belonging to two different organisations, were arrested when they attempted to force some shopowners, particularly jewellery establishments run by Kerala-based Groups, to down shutters.
Fifteen persons, belonging to 'Tamil Deshiya Pothuvudamai Katchi', raised slogans and asked the jewellers and some others to close shop, police said.
A Keralite's bakery was attacked allegedly by some members belonging to the 'Naam Tamizhar Katchi', who forcibly downed its shutters. They were arrested, police added.