Probe finds no evidence of social, economic boycott of Dalits in Tiruvannamalai village

“We have got sufficient evidence to show that there is no such boycott against Dalits. We found a small section of people in the village who wanted the issue to be alive for some reasons,” Tiruvannamalai Superintendent of Police Karthikeyan told.

An inquiry conducted by the district administration and the police has found no evidence for the charges of social and economic boycott against Dalits by other castes at Thenmudiyanur village in Tiruvannamalai district.

The probe was done by Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Mandhagini and Superintendent of Police K. Karthikeyan after the allegations emerged.

“We have got sufficient evidence to show that there is no such boycott against Dalits. We found a small section of people in the village who wanted the issue to be alive for some reasons,” Mr. Karthikeyan told The Hindu.

He said three peace committee meetings had been held between the Dalits and other castes since the Muthumariamman temple was opened to the Dalits on January 30. The majority of the Dalits, including the panchayat president, were supporting the initiatives taken by the district administration to return normalcy to the village, he said.

Asked about the action taken against those allegedly involved in damaging the property of the Dalits, including the burning of the shop of a widow and a two-wheeler, the SP said nine cases had been filed against both sides.

“Culprits will be arrested soon. A compensation package is being worked out by the district administration for the affected persons,” he said.