The Tamil Nadu Tribals Association (TNTA) has urged the district police to take action against caste Hindus for allegedly attacking the Irular families (Scheduled Tribes) living at the foothills of Sanarappan hills at Senrayanayakkanur in Bargur panchayat union last week.
In a petition submitted to the Deputy Superintendent of Police on Tuesday, TNTA State secretary S. Palanisamy demanded action against the attackers under the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Allegation
Mr. Palanisamy alleged that the caste Hindus had abused Irulars and also prevented them from drawing water from the common water facility.
The Irular families have been living in 17 group houses allotted by the government for the past 25 years. It was alleged that last week, K. Madhappan, one of the residents, went to a nearby granite quarry owned by a Chennai-based company to request the supervisor not to carry out mining works after 8 p.m. as a few children including his daughter were studying for public examinations. After he returned home, a group of people assaulted him and his family.
Madhappan said he along with a few other residents went to the Pochampalli police station to lodge a complaint. But the police did not register it.
Before they returned the village, one more Irular couple was allegedly attacked by the supporters of the quarry.
When contacted, G. Gajendran, Deputy Superintendent of Police, denied the allegations and said an FIR had been filed and the officials were instructed to take action against the attackers.
Madhappan added that because of the explosives used in the quarry, the ceilings of the most of houses were damaged.
