When crimes and clashes among youth are common news today, an Inspector from Palayamkottai had a new idea to tackle the mess. He made 49 students, who were involved in a clash, to write 1,330 Thirukkural couplets instead of filing an FIR which, he said, would have jeopardised their future.

The police said that the students, belonging to St John's and Cathedral Higher Secondary Schools, had beaten each other on VOC ground near St John's school two days ago. The students' clash spilt over to social media, they added.

The inspector gave this unique punishment to the students, after consulting with their parents, as he believed writing the 1,330 Thirukkural couplets would 'mend their ways'.  "On Wednesday, they wrote the couplets at the station. The students and parents have assured that such clashes would not happen again in the future," he said. 

The Palayamkottai police also removed the wristbands of a few students that denoted their castes. Police warned of stern action if the students wear wristbands again.