Alleging favouritism in distribution of compensation for Dalit families affected in the 2008 clash in Uthapuram in Madurai district, a section of Dalits from the village petitioned the Collector on Monday demanding temporary stoppage of distribution of the balance compensation.
“We have recently filed a petition in Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court requesting that all the affected Dalit families should be awarded compensation. So, distribution of the remaining amount should be stopped until the court makes a decision,” said M. Chellapandian, a resident of South Devendirar Nagar in Uthapuram.
In a case filed by S.K. Ponnuthai of All India Democratic Women’s Association, affiliated to Communist Party of India (Marxist), the HC Bench awarded a compensation of about Rs. 1.2 crore to 199 victims earlier this year.
While a majority of the amount has already been disbursed, work is in progress to distribute the balance amount soon. “The list of 199 people excluded a large number of affected Dalits as the CPI (M), which spearheaded the case, showed partiality in identifying the victims,” alleged N. Palpandi, another resident.
He alleged the expenses for the case were met from the common fund of the Dalits in the village. “When everyone had contributed for the case expenses, it is unfair to exclude some while distributing compensation,” he claimed.
Mr. Chellapandian also alleged that there were double entries in the list of 199 victims, which meant that the same families got compensation twice.
Denying the allegations, T. Chellakannu, district secretary, Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front, who actively took part in the litigation process, said that the group of Dalits who were complaining now did not come forward to register themselves when the case was in progress. “Moreover, the list of victims had been cross-checked by government authorities,” he said.
“The complaints of double entries have been rectified. The money taken from the common fund of the Dalits was also paid back by those who received the compensation,” he said. “If they feel they also deserve compensation, they can approach court. But it is not fair to stop the compensation for other victims,” he added.
