The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Villagers desert houses demanding opening of locked temple

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Friday, Sep 26, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Villagers desert houses demanding opening of locked temple

Staff Reporter

SIVAKASI: Over 300 persons, including women and children, of Kakivadanpatti near here on Thursday deserted their houses alleging denial of right to worship in a local temple. The protestors, belonging to six castes, are against a particular caste claiming rights over the Kaliamman temple.

“The temple was constructed on poromboke land and had remained locked for nearly 12 years following a dispute between them,” Sivakasi Revenue Divisional Officer B. Ganesan said. After a peace meeting with representatives of both the groups, it was opened last year.

Revenue officials had allocated two different months for these groups to host their festivals separately. The six-caste group had already celebrated its festival. When the other group wanted to hold its festival, the dispute arose again, Mr. Ganesan said.

Revenue officials locked the temple on August 2, police sources said. The six-caste group demanded the keys be handed over to it. When the officials refused, members of this group left their houses and sought refuge in another temple, two km away.

“The situation is now tense and it might worsen if the temple is opened. Our people are negotiating with the protestors, asking them to return home. Further action can be taken only after holding another round of peace talks with both the groups,” the RDO said.

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