The seeds for violence at Ponparappi seem to have been sown some years back and stray incidents were precursors to the “orchestrated” attack on the Scheduled Caste people on April 18, the polling day, according to a fact finding team of the Tamil Nationalist Movement (Thamizh Desiya Periyakkam).
The team, comprising the TNM headquarters executive committee members, Arunabharathi, Murugan, general body member, Kanagasabai, Tamil Nadu Students Federation central committee member, Manimaran, visited the Ponparappi village on April 22 to ascertain the causes that led to the clash between the two castes.
The team observed that a local office-bearer of a dravidian party had said that residents of the village who had been living in harmony had turned foes as some persons under the influence of alcohol indulged in unwarranted acts. “Their actions sowed the seeds of animosity between us” the politician, belonging to the Vanniyar caste in the village, said.
An attempt to install the flag mast of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi along the main road, bursting of crackers at the SC colony when the former Vanniyar Sangam president, J. Guru passed away, and erasing of the “pot” symbol during the recent election campaign were some of the incidents that had fuelled animosity among the people.
Further, a Hindu outfit had gained prominence among the Vanniyars cutting across their political affiliations because of the presence of Christians among the Scheduled Caste people. This was also a reason for the Backward Class people rallying behind the Hindu Munnani, the team observed.
Members of Hindu Munnani, under the influence of alcohol, had smashed an earthen pot, the election symbol of VCK candidate, Thol.Thirumavalavan, in front of the Panchayat Office where the polling was going on.
The news about the incident reached the SC colony only after 2 p.m. In retaliation, the colony youth had attacked a handicapped person belonging to Vanniyar caste, who used to sell alcohol in the area.
The tension between both the groups escalated resulting in stone pelting and damaging of the VCK party flag on the road kerb. Later hundreds of people descended on the SC colony and went on a rampage. Several houses and motorcycles in the colony suffered extensive damage as the police arrived late, the team observed.
In its recommendations, the team demanded adequate compensation for those who lost their belongings and also to those whose properties were damaged. The real culprits should be brought to book and action should be initiated against the officials who have turned a blind eye towards illegal sale of arrack. It also recommended providing drinking water supply, establishment of a school and fair price shop at the SC colony and closure of wine shops run by the government.
The team also appealed to the people to stay away from political parties which ignite caste feelings for political gains.
