COIMBATORE, June 22: The death of a lorry owner in police custody sparked demonstrations by angry crowds at Othukuli Zamin village in Pollachi on Saturday, during which the Pollachi MLA Raju was injured. The lorry owner, Ganesan, reportedly entered into an arguement with the police following the seizure of the vehicle, driven by one Selvaraj, after it collided with a state-owned bus. Ganesan was taken for questioning, but reportedly fainted in the process, and was hospitalised, but died later. The MLA visited the bereaved family, but was set upon by irate villagers. Police had to use force to quell the violence. Pollachi town observed a bandh.

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