While the arrest of two teenagers in connection with the murder of two Dalits has sent shock waves among the public, the police are on the lookout for the person and his gang who actually orchestrated the crime for the juvenile offenders as they all belonged to a particular caste.
When the prime accused of this case, a 15-year-old ITI student, boarded a share autorickshaw a month ago to reach the institute, the driver took a long time to start the vehicle as he was waiting for a few more passengers.
When he was pestering the driver to start the vehicle as he had to reach the ITI in time, the bus going via the ITI reached the stop.
ADVERTISEMENT
As the boy got down from the share autorickshaw and boarded the bus, the auto driver and his friend Rajkumar forcibly brought him down and asked him to travel in the autorickshaw.
When he resisted, Rajkumar and the auto driver assaulted him, which started enmity between the boy and Rajkumar.
As the boy, a caste Hindu, felt humiliated on being attacked by Rajkumar and his friend, both Dalits, he discussed this ‘abasement’ with one Ayyappan of his caste, who promised him that he would teach “an unforgettable lesson” to Rajkumar and his associates.
ADVERTISEMENT
The ITI student and his friend, a 17-year-old boy, were closely watching the movements of Rajkumar and kept Ayyappan posted until the assault was finalised.
When the plan was ready, the armed gang led by Ayyappan went to Paraiyadi area on Monday night. As the attack was unleashed, Rajkumar, after sustaining two cut injuries on both hands, ran towards Paraiyadi, and escaped while Mariappan and Shanmugam, who just accompanied him on the moped, were hacked to death.
“We’re on the lookout for Ayyappan and a few others. We’ll arrest them within a day or two,” said a police officer.
Demanding the arrest of Ayyappan, the relatives of the deceased refused to accept the bodies, which are still kept in the mortuary.