The Dharmapuri Police has strengthened security in the district, particularly at Natham Colony, in view of leaders of political parties and Dalit movements expressing their intention to pay homage at the memorial of I. Ilavarasan, the Dalit youth of Natham Colony who committed suicide in early 2013 after his caste-Hindu wife went back to her mother.
The marriage led to the girl’s father committing suicide on November 7, 2012 and a mob fury on three Dalit colonies, including Natham Colony in which Ilavarasan lived.
The leaders wanted to enter the colony despite prohibitory orders, that also barred their entry into the district, having been promulgated. Police strength has been reinforced in all the 15 check-posts.
Around 250 police personnel were posted in and around the villages, which include Vanniyar and Dalit habitations, said Superintendent of Police Asra Garg.
If any leader of the political party or the leaders of the Dalit movements entered the district in violation of the prohibitory orders, they would be arrested, Mr. Garg said.
In addition to the district police, two battalions of Tamil Special Police have been summoned as reserve strength to deal with any emergency, Mr. Garg said.
In the meantime, the district president of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi K. Koventhan said in a press release that party leader Thol Thirumalavan would take out a rally to Natham Colony from the Dharmapuri district border.
Police rejected the request to allow Mr. Thirumavalavan garland the memorial of the Dalit youth.
In a related development, residents of Natham Colony on Wednesday elected a new leader, who assured the district administration and police cooperation in maintaining peace on the first death anniversary of Ilavarasan.
Soon after being elected, T. Madhiyazhagan, the new leader, and K. Sivaraj, his deputy, and some other residents of the colony met Mr. Garg and promised cooperation to prevent any unlawful activity.
When contacted, T. Madhiazhagan and K. Sivaraj said they met Mr. Garg again on Thursday.
They said Mr. Garg assured them protection to observe the anniversary peacefully as per the Madras High Court order. The anniversary would be observed between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Mr. Madhiazhagan said that he did not have knowledge about any link the previous leaders had with naxal movements.
