The Tamil Nadu Police on Wednesday clashed with a group of protestors near Tiruchirappalli after a pregnant woman died when a traffic policeman allegedly kicked the bike she was on, The New Indian Express reported.

The woman was identified as Usha and was riding pillion with her husband. The couple was near the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited headquarters at Thuvakudi when a police team asked them to stop as the husband was not wearing a helmet.

When he tried to flee, the policeman, Kamaraj, chased them on another two-wheeler and then allegedly kicked their vehicle. The bike wobbled and the couple fell on the ground, The News Minute reported. The police officer is believed to have fled after the incident. The couple was taken to the hospital where Usha was declared dead, while her husband was seriously injured.

Superintendent of Police P Cephas Kalyan said the inspector was later arrested and remanded, The New Indian Express reported. Kamaraj was also admitted to the hospital after he claimed that he had been injured.

The police have denied allegations that Kamaraj kicked the couple’s bike, but senior police officials have said that they will go through closed camera television footage in the area.

Violent protests

A large number of people gathered on the Thanjavur-Trichy national highway on Wednesday night to protest against the state police and demand strict action against the police officer involved. The agitators have claimed that Kamaraj was drunk at the time of the incident, according to The New Indian Express.

The protests turned violent after the agitators allegedly started pelting stones at police vehicles. Several vehicles in the area, including government buses, were also vandalised. The police resorted to baton charge to clear the protestors.