Dalits Ostracised

The New Indian Express
Friday, February 20, 2009/ Chennai

M Rafi Ahmed/ENS
Coimbatore, February 19

Discriminations against Arunthathiayrs at Nambiyampalayam village in Avinashi taluk has reached its nadir with upper caste people declaring a social boycott against them by closing down shops, preventing basic access even to basic consumer items like milk, grocery, and vegetables.
It all started when Jagannathan, an Arunthathiyar, scolded a teenaged boy, son of Nambiyapalayam village panchayat president N M Muthusamy, a Hindu, for throwing a stone at him.
Later, fighting broke out between the two groups with the dalits being severely outnumbered. The police had to intervene and tried to pacify the group. Cases were booked against both groups and Muthusamy's arrest sparked off a series of protests by the upper caste people with shops being closed and power looms coming to a halt.
Dalit Viduthalai Katchi general secretary M P Sengottaiyyan told Express that shops were still closed in Nambiyampalayam village and the shops in 12 other villages situated adjacent to Nambiyampalayam were denying essential commodities to dalits.
He added the government was hesitant to take action against upper caste people as they were keeping an eye on the forthcoming elections.
The district administration, whom the Aurnthathiyars approached a couple of days ago seeking help, failed to solve their problems. Instead the dalit people were arrested at the collectorate. District Revenue Officer Prabhakran however, assured that he would sort out the issue.
Speaking to Express Prabhakaran said that mini buses would be diverted to the village and arrangement would me made for the supply of milk through Aavin. Meanwhile, a strong contingent of police has been deployed at the village.