Dalits from Adi Dravidar Colony, Avadanapatti village, near Krishnagiri have accused three caste Hindu families of encroaching upon a vacant land meant for public purpose in their colony for the last eight years.
In this connection, over fifty people who had thronged the collectorate and submitted a petition to District Revenue Officer, C. Prakasam here on Monday demanding that the encroachments be removed. The dalits alleged that there was erection of two flag posts and fear that it will flare up community clash.
Pressing their demand, the public were about to hand over their Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) and Ration card to the district administration.
In a petition, they alleged that three persons had encroached upon the land meant for school and built houses and shops.
With the result of blockage in the flow of sewage in the main outlet from the Dalit colony, the stagnation of water for more than a year poses serious health hazard to the residents, they alleged.
During the rainy season, the situation turned worst, as the overflowing sewage stagnated before the Anganwadi Centre where over 30 children study.
Besides contaminating the ground water, the sewage polluted the bore well that supplied drinking water to the villages coming under Agasipalli, Periyamuthur and Devasandiram Panchayats.
The children were affected with many health problems, the women in the colony say.
Receiving the petition, Mr. C. Prakasam has assured the Dalits to take action with the consultation of the District Collector V. Arun Roy, who is away in Chennai on an official visit.
Over 80 families live in 50 to 60 tiled houses on 40 plots allotted to them in the survey No. 552/2 in Agasaipalli Panchayat 20 years ago by the then district administration of Dharmapuri.
