THENI
A Scheduled Caste youth, an undergraduate preparing for TNPSC examinations, was allegedly attacked by an intermediate caste man and his son for “sitting cross-legged” in front of his house.
According to police, S. Sundar, 22, of Kodangipatti village in Theni district was sitting on a chair with his legs crossed on Monday. M. Kannan, a member of an intermediate caste in the village, allegedly abused him for sitting like that and later along with his son Manoj attacked him with a sickle on his head and shoulders. The victim was admitted to Theni Government Medical College Hospital.
P.C. Patti police registered a case under Sections 294(b), 324, 506(ii) of the IPC and the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Following the incident, a fact-finding team from Evidence, a Madurai-based non-governmental organisation, visited the village on Thursday and interacted with Mr. Sundar. The team said the accused were not yet arrested and alleged that the DSP concerned had not initiated investigation.
“As per the provisions of the SC/ST Act, the Superintendent of Police and the Collector should inspect the scene of crime and visit the victim within 24 hours of the occurrence of a crime against a Dalit. But neither the Collector nor the SP had visited the victim,” alleged A. Kathir, executive director of Evidence.
He demanded that the accused should be arrested immediately and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes should issue a notice to the SP and the Collector, holding them accountable under Section 4 of the SC/ST Act.
