Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Melavalavu anniversary passes off peacefully, amid tight security

By S. Vijay Kumar

MELAVALAVU JUNE 30. The sixth anniversary of the June 30, 1997 massacre near Melavalavu, in Madurai district, where six Dalits were hacked, passed off peacefully amid tight security today.

Hundreds of Dalit Panthers of India cadres, led by the general secretary, T. Tirumavalavan, paid floral tribute to the slain panchayat president, K. Murugesan, and five others at the ``Viduthalai Kalam'' memorial at Melavalavu this evening.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tirumavalavan blamed the police and revenue authorities for the ``mass murder'', which occurred in broad daylight. Even though Murugesan and others had brought a threat to the notice of all concerned, including the then Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, nothing was done to protect the lives.

Despite having a thorough knowledge of the simmering tension between Dalits and caste Hindus at Melavalavu, intelligence sleuths ignored the warning signals, which ultimately led to the killing of six persons, followed by a few others.

``It was a preventable tragedy. The law enforcing agencies showed no interest to rescue the Dalits, who ran from pillar to post seeking protection before they were murdered''. Karuppiah, brother of Murugesan, had also been receiving threatening letters frequently but the police ``denied him gun licence.'' Accusing both the DMK and AIADMK Governments of ``victimising'' the downtrodden, Mr. Tirumavalavan called for scrapping of the National Security Act and the Goondas' Act, as a majority of those held under these laws were Dalits and Minorities.

Mr. Tirumavalavan criticised the police for not permitting organisers of today's event to use cone speakers. ``They were not even permitted to instal loudspeakers facing the villages dominated by the caste Hindus. However, such restrictions and pressures could not curb the awakening among the suppressed masses.''

Mr. Tirumavalavan urged the Government to release the MDMK general secretary, Vaiko; the Tamilar Desiya Iyakkam leader, P. Nedumaran, and all others held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Earlier, the CPI (M) State secretary, N. Varadarajan; the district secretary, V. Sundaram; and the State committee member, A. Lazar, among others, paid homage to Murugesan and others.

A large posse of police personnel was posted in the sensitive Melavalavu Adi Dravidar Colony. The police took positions at vulnerable points along the Madurai-Melur National Highway. The DIG (Madurai Range), Vijay Kumar, and the SP, Avi Prakash Sinha, were present at Melavalavu to supervise the security arrangements.

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