Representatives of Jadhi Madha Vankodumaikku Ethirana Kootamaipu and a few villagers of Thennamanallur Panchayat, Thondamuthur Panchayat Union, picketed the District Collectorate here on Monday seeking the intervention of the administration to withdraw a case registered against Thennamanallur Panchayat president, R. Sivasamy, by the Thondamuthur Police, last week.
The protestors led by the movement’s coordinator and former Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) district secretary Susi Kalaiarasan claimed that the people of a Caste Hindu community were constantly taking effort to prevent Sivasamy from performing duties as Panchayat President, as he was a Dalit.
They added that a case of attempt to murder was registered against him on April 29 following a complaint lodged by Ramasamy - a Caste Hindu.
While Ramasamy’s complaint states that the Panchayat chief demanded Rs. 2 lakh bribe to permit him to mine sand, the petitioners on Monday claimed that the complainant framed the charge against Sivasamy, because the latter tried to stop the alleged illegal sand mining. In their petition to the Collector, the movement also sought action against the police personnel concerned who registered the case against Sivasamy. They also wanted withdrawal of charges against Sivasamy, who is at large even as the police have launched a search to arrest him in connection with the case. The city police removed the protestors, including a few women.
