The barbed wire fence that was erected a few days ago blocking the approach road to a Dalit colony at Ittikkal Agaram village in Krishnagiri district was removed by Revenue department officials on Friday.
Following a report in The Hindu , the district administration acted swiftly and removed the fence amidst tight security.
Collector V. Arun Roy visited the spot and heard the grievances of the people and directed the department to immediately remove the fence and pave the way for the Dalits.
Oor Gounder (village leader), Nagaraj, told the Collector that the fence was erected by him on request from the Headmistress of the Panchayat Union Primary School in Ittikkal Agaram.
Revenue Officials led by A. Noor Mohamed, Revenue Divisional Officer, and Tahsildhar P.M. Rajagopal and BDOs removed the fence. There was no resistance from caste Hindus, who watched the removal of the wire and stone pillars by workers.
In a release issued in the evening, Mr. Roy warned that stringent action would be initiated against those encroaching pathways and common places.
D. Ravindran, CPI (M) district secretary, thanked Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for his swift action in response to the announcement of direct action to remove the road block by S.K. Mahendran, Perambur MLA of the party.
