Perunkulam on Boil after Caste Clash
THOOTHUKUDI: A clash between Dalits and caste Hindus in Perunkulam village near Eral in Thoothukudi left members of both communities injured and several properties damaged. After the clash, security was tightened in the village to prevent further clashes.
A Dalit youth, who teased a caste Hindu girl in Perunkulam village on March 30, was arrested on Thursday after the girl’s father registered a police complaint. The youth’s grandmother later registered a complaint against a few caste Hindus alleging that they had threatened the Dalit youth.
In a follow up, two caste Hindu youth, Murugan and Gnanapandithan, were allegedly attacked by Dalits when they were returning home on Saturday.
The caste Hindus retaliated and allegedly attacked Balamurugan (32), son of Selvam, on Saturday. The mob then allegedly attacked the house of a retired Dalit teacher, Ganesan (60). Balamurugan (35), a contractor, was also attacked and paddy worth `1 lakh was damaged.
In a retaliatory attack by Dalits a TATA Ace van belonging to Palanimurugan (29), was damaged and 300 geese belonging to Sudalai (43), were also allegedly damaged by the Dalits.
As many as 45 caste Hindus and 28 Dalits were booked in connection with the clashes. Security was tightened in the vill age to prevent further clashes.
Thoothukudi SP M Durai inspected the security in village and held talks with representatives of both the communities.
Source: New Indian Express
