They continue to struggle for their survival, yet lead a happy life until tragedy struck their family a year ago.
On February 14, 2014, the 10-year-old girl, who was sleeping with her parents and siblings at Chendrampalayam village in Vazhapadi was found missing, the next day. She was found hanging from a tree at Perumal Kovil Karadu, about one km from her residence. Autopsy confirmed that she had been raped and murdered and the police arrested S. Boopathi (31), P. Anand Babu alias ‘snake’ Babu (29), A. Anandan (21), D. Prabakaran (26) and D. Babu alias Balakrishnan (28), all from the same village. The accused were granted conditional bail and except Balakrishnan, all the four were arrested later for threatening the family. All the four were detained under the Goondas Act.
Fearing for safety and reluctance by the villagers even to speak to them, the couple along with their 7-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son, moved to Thumbal in Pethanaickenpalayam. Five months ago, the family moved to a rented-house in Ponammapet area in the city.
The couple Paramasivam (47) and Palaniyammal (32) told The Hindu that their dreams have shattered after the incident, but have to live to bring up the children. “Our debt is around Rs. 3 lakh and our earning is around Rs. 250 per day. We four have to survive with the meagre income and also pay the dues”, they added. While Paramasivam works as labourer at a pipe shop in Nethimedu, she takes care of the children. Despite the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights conducted inquiry in March, 2014 and submitted report recommending compensation for the family, help is yet to reach them. The parents said that their struggle will continue till their children are educated and got married. “Assistance from the government would help us to meet the education needs of our children”, they added.
