Six held for Dalit youth’s murder

Following discussions with the medical experts who conducted the post mortem, the Namakkal SP, S.R.Senthil Kumar and Tiruchengode DSP, R.Vishnupriya took the decision to register the case afresh under Sec 302 of the Indian Penal Code for murder. “We have arrested six persons in connection with the murder. We have launched a search for three more accused in the case,” the SP, S.R.Senthilkumar said.

The family of the Dalit boy and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi activists who were staging a sit-in protest for the last five days demanding the arrest of the culprits have withdrawn their protest. They have also agreed to receive the body of the Dalit boy, which has been lying in the morgue of the Salem government hospital. The death of the youth had triggered communal tension in neighbouring Salem as the boy was a native of Omalur in Salem.

Dalit activists and the family of the Dalit youth alleged it was a case of honour killing. Gokulraj who had gone to meet his college mate, Swathi in a temple, was found dead on the railway tracks. Initially, the police had dubbed it as a case of suicide. However, as the issue took a communal turn as Dalit outfits launched a massive protest across Salem.

Gokulraj’s mother, Chitra and his brother Kalaiselvan went on a sit-in protest at the Nehru auditorium along with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi activists. “The police have arrested six persons and changed it to a case of kidnap and murder. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal leader Thirumavalavan will take part in the funeral on Thursday,” party spokeman, Vanniarasu told the media.