Chennai: Two Dalits were murdered and 10 others sustained injuries in a gruesome attack unleashed against them by caste Hindus for sitting cross-legged in a village in Sivagangai district on Monday night.
The clash took place following a temple festival performed in Kachanaththam village in Manamadurai taluk in the district. A large contingent of police force posted in the village.
Meanwhile, expressing grief over the incident Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisami ordered a solatium of Rs 10 lakh each to the family members of the victim and Rs 1.50 lakh to persons who sustained injuries. The CM has also directed the authorities to provide proper medical care to the injured and directed the police to initiate action against culprits.
On May 25, local residents organised a temple festival at Sri Karupanna Swamy. The Dalits and the caste Hindus had quarreled over during the festival. A group led by Chandrakumar developed quarrel with the Dalits. Suman and Arun, sons of Chandrakumar also clashed with the Dalits. Following this, the Dalits lodged a complaint with Thirupachethi police, who referred the matter to Palayanur police. However, the Dalits alleged that Palayanur police had not taken any action against the Chandrakumar and others.
On May 26 at 2 pm, Deivendran and Prabakaran - Dalits were sitting in the temple cross legged. Suman and Arun, who came to the place, developed altercation with Deivendran and Prabakaran for sitting cross legged and not respecting them. Suman abused them by using a caste slur.
On May 28, at 9.pm, a 20-member group led by Chandrakumar, Suman, Arun and Ilayaraja, with the help of friends from neighbouring villages, entered into the Dalit colony with deadly weapons and unleashed assault against them after switching off power link. Many Dalits sustained injuries and Shanmuganathan and Arumugam died on way to hospital. The injured were admitted at Thirubuvanam government general hospital.
Soon, a police team senior police officials including DIG Ramnathapuram, N Kamini, SP, Ramanathapuram district Omprakash Meena and SP, Sivagangai district, T. Jeyachandran rushed to the village. Jeyachandran has posted a large contingent of police force. Palayanur police have registered case against Suman, Arun, Rajeshwaran, Agnirajan, Ajaydevan and others. The police arrested six persons in connection with the clash.
