Dalits’ Houses Burnt after Clash in Perambalur
Tiruchy:A dispute between the Dalits and Caste Hindus of V-Kalathur in Perambalur over Chithirai festivities took a violent turn on Sunday when the members of both the communities entered into a free-for-all, leaving many injured.
Later, a group of Caste Hindus allegedly went on a rampage, torching seven huts belonging to Dalits. However, no casualty was reported in the arson.
Sources said the village had a public ground (chavadi), which was used by both the communities. On Sunday, the Dalit residents decided to organise a festival to honour Moopanar Swamy and erected a digital banner at the chavadi.
The very day, the members of the caste-Hindu group planned to organise Chithra Pournami festival and decided to take out a procession, followed by a pooja at chavadi. A group of Caste Hindus visited the spot and demanded that the Dalits postpone their plans and remove the banner.
Opposing the demand, the Dalits entered into a heated argument with the caste-Hindus. Soon, the matter came to a head and the verbal altercation gave way to fisticuffs. Sources said that during the fight, members of both the communities began pelting each other with stones, injuring many from the two sides injured.
The fight was stopped after village elders intervened. However, a few hours later, a group of Caste Hindus reached the Dalit settlement in the village and set afire seven houses. On information, Perambalur Fire and Rescue personnel rushed to the spot and doused the fire.
The victims of the attack were identified as Govindhan (45), Samikannu (37), Selvamani (40), Amarthavalli (43), Ramesh (32), Raja and Ramasamy.
On information, SP Sonal Chandra and sub-collector P Madusuthanan held a spot inquiry. One of the victims was sanctioned a house under the Greenhouse project while the rest were awarded a compensation of `5,000.
On Monday, based on complaints lodged by both groups, the police registered a case and arrested 40 people from both the communities. A huge posse of police was deployed to avert the incident from flaring up again.
Source: The New Indian Express
