Suspecting human sacrifice behind the death of an eight-year-old boy near here, irate local residents on Sunday went on a rampage setting a temple on fire and attacking those managing it, prompting the police to lathicharge.
The police said the body of the boy, missing since last night, was found with injuries in a well near the Goddess Kali temple this morning at Jothibasu Nagar.
The mob also destroyed some articles in the temple, which was partly gutted in the fire.
The police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the crowd in which five persons were injured, they said.
According to the police, there was some dispute between Velraj, who was managing Sri Karumariamman temple and Arumugam, administering the Kali shrine, and local people suspected that the boy was sacrificed to Goddess Kali and indulged in violence.
Arumugam and some others were taken into custody for questioning, they said.