Tension grips south districts
September 12, 2011
By AR. Meyyammai
DC
Madurai
Tension gripped southern districts following the death of five dalits
in police firing in Paramakudi on Sunday when they went to pay homage
to dalit leader Immanuel Sekaran on his death anniversary.
In all, police firing has been reported in three places – Paramakudi
in Ramanathapuram district, Ilayankudi in Sivagangai district and
Chinthamani in Madurai district.
While three were killed in the firing at Paramakudi, one succumbed at
the government hospital in Ilayankudi. The death toll is likely to
increase, say police. Several other dalits were injured and over 15
policemen including top officials suffered injuries in the mob
violence.
In Madurai district, two dalit youths – Balakrishnan and Jayaprasath
sustained injuries in the firing. ADSP V.Mylvahanan said, "Police
resorted to firing only in self-defence only after a woman constable
was harassed and an inspector was attacked." He said about 50 persons
have been detained in the district.
Third firing occurred in Ilayankudi when the people of Keelaiyur and
neighbouring dalit-dominant villages blocked a police vehicle in which
injured deputy commissioner K.A.Senthilvelan was being rushed for
treatment to a private hospital in Madurai.
A police source said, "The villagers rounded up his vehicle forcing
the police to open fire at them." Dinesh, 17, a Plus Two student
suffered pellet injuries in the incident.
The news of the "untimely" arrest of Dalit leader John Pandian in
Thoothukudi on the day when dalits were flocking towards Paramakudi
from various southern districts to pay homage at the memorial of
Immanuel Sekaran sparked tension among the members of the community.
Several dalit outfit leaders including Krishnasamy of Pudhiya
Tamizhagam, Murugavelrajan of Makkal Viduthalai Katchi and Suba
Annamalai of Mallar Kazhagam and MDMK general secretary Vaiko called
on the injured at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai. Vaiko
demanded a judicial enquiry into the firing at Paramakudi.
Madurai collector U.Sagayam also visited the injured at the hospital.
Earlier, their relatives blocked his vehicle condemning police firing.
He has ordered an RDO inquiry into the Madurai firing.
Meanwhile, Ramanathapuram district remains totally cut off. Bus
services have been suspended in the district and buses proceeding from
other districts to Ramanathapuram, Paramakudi, Rameswaram and
Ilayankudi have been halted.
Trains running between Madurai-Rameswaram-Madurai and
Karaikudi-Manamadurai have been cancelled while Rameswaram-Tiruchy
passenger is partially cancelled between Ramanathapuram and Tiruchy.
Police strength has been stepped up following the violence at various
places. Lathicharge was reported in a few places including Madurai.
Several buses and police vehicles were damaged.
Over 40 vehicles were set ablaze in Paramakudi alone, police said.
Police prevented the reporters and photographers from covering the
violence in Paramakudi. Almost all top police officials remained
incommunicado to the press.
------------------------------------
----
INFORMATION OVERLOAD?
Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to ZESTMedia-digest@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/
PARTICIPATE:-
On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com
TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:-
If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to ZESTCaste-subscribe@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/
Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
ZESTCaste-digest@yahoogroups.com
ZESTCaste-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ZESTCaste-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
No comments:
Post a Comment