Following tension in Gobichettipalayam over the attack on two Arunthathiyar youth by members of a dominant caste last month, the district police have banned protests, rallies, public meetings and public events in the sub-division.
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Accusing the youth of stealing two hens, the members of the Kongu Vellalar community attacked them on November 21. The Siruvalur police registered a case for dacoity against the two. A case was also registered against 20 persons under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 for assaulting the youth. Tamil Nadu State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes conducted an inquiry with the two men who are undergoing treatment at the Government Hospital in Gobichettipalayam.
Claiming that a false case was registered against the two youths, members of various Dalit outfits demanded the arrest of the attackers. Meanwhile, members of the Kongu Vellalar community condemned the registering of case against their members and wanted the case withdrawn. A peace meeting conducted by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Gobichettipalayam, failed to solve the issue.
Members of the Kongu Vellalar community have called for a massive rally and a protest in Gobichettipalayam on December 7 (Thursday) against the registering of case under SC/ST Act.
The district police, in a release, said that considering the prevailing law and order situation in Gobichettipalayam sub-division, rallies, procession, public meetings and other public events were banned in the sub-division. The release also warned of legal action against those violating the order.