In a twist to the Dharmapuri caste violence case, N. Divya (21), whose marriage to a Dalit boy led to the attack on three colonies on November 7, on Thursday was ordered to be sent to the Government Home for Women in Salem by Dharmapuri Judicial Magistrate II (in-charge) K. Jothi.
Superintendent of Police Asra Garg said that Divya was produced in court amid tight security on the basis of a complaint of kidnapping lodged by her mother N. Thenmozhi at the Krishnapuram police station.
She told the magistrate that she was not forced into marrying T. Ilavarasan; it was a case of love marriage. The magistrate directed that she be produced in court on Friday.
Police sources said that Ilavarasan was only 19 years old, below the marriageable age of 21.
Ilavarasan and Divya have been under police protection at an undisclosed location after the attack on the Dalit colonies. Illavarasan’s parents are also being given police protection.
G.K. Mani’s visit
Pattali Makkal Katchi president G.K. Mani visited the house of Nagaraj, Divya’s father, who committed suicide after she married Ilavarasan.
He spent over two hours with the family members at Chellankottai.
Police sources said that Mr. Mani’s request to visit the affected Dalit colonies was turned down.
He was given an alternative route to Chellankottai through Baisalli, instead of the normal route through Natham Colony, which was targeted.
The Manithaneya Makkal Katchi urged the State Government to give Rs. 5 lakh to each of the affected Dalit families. A team headed by MMK State general-secretary Thameem Ansari visited the colonies on Thursday along with Ambur MLA Aslam Basha. They handed over 15 bags of rice and clothes to the affected families.
