As per amendments made in SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, the government should collect ₹ 3 lakh each from 100 persons accused in the K. Thottiapatti clash last week and use it for the welfare of Dalits there, said A. Kathir, executive director of Evidence, a non-governmental organisation that acts as a voice for the Dalits.
The clash was reported on the night of March 31 at the village in the neighbouring Virudhunagar district, when Arunthathiyars were allegedly assaulted by a group from the Caste Hindu community.
The dispute was over sharing of drinking water from a overhead tank. Though the police and district administration swung into action and arrested 26 persons and brought the problem under control, the fact-finding team from Evidence opined that the police should arrest more persons involved in the incident.
The government should provide a permanent drinking water tap as the Dalits had to use one near a cremation shed. Many women expressed concern as the water tank was close to the habitations of the Caste Hindu people.
Since there was a friction between the two communities, the Vanniapatti police had earmarked different timings for fetching water.
However, on the night of the clash, a wordy altercation between a Caste Hindu man and a Dalit woman led to assaults and torching of three dwellings. The belongings of Dalits in 33 houses were destroyed.
Compensation
The government should give₹ 5,000 for each family for at least three months and provide basic commodities.
As the injured were getting treatment in Srivilliputtur, Madurai and Rajapalayam government hospitals, they should be adequately compensated since they could not go to work, Mr. Kathir said.
