Nagapalayam Dalits allege threats from cops

A group of dalits of Nagapalayam near Kodumudi lodged a complaint at the collectorate on Monday alleging that the police were threatening them.

It may be recalled that a caste wall in the hamlet was demolished some weeks back following complaints from dalits. Then, members of the dominant caste carried a body along the dalit colony on July 7, which forced dalits to lodge a complaint with RDO that some people indulged in such action to provoke them. Following a report from Kodumudi police, Erode RDO Dr R Sugumar, registered a case on 9 persons each of the groups of SC and dominant caste members and the inquiry was going on.

The RDO barred dominant caste members from conducting funeral through the dalit colony as already a pucca road was laid for them to reach the crematorium. But, on Monday, a group, led by BSP district secretary Devendran, submitted a petition at the collectorate stating that some members of the dominant caste carried the body of Dakshinamurthy through the dalit colony around 12 noon on Sept 1. Those who carried the body threatened and verbally abused the dalits, who questioned their action. Some police officials also support the dominant caste members and threatened us, the dalits said in the petition.