Relatives of a 17-year-old Dalit boy who allegedly committed suicide on Saturday staged a protest on Panruti-Pudhupettai Road alleging foul play in his death. The protesters kept Kathir’s body on the road and demanded the arrest of culprits involved in his death.
According to the police, Kathir, son of Velu of Orayur village, was working as a daily wage labourer in Kerala. He had returned to his native place a few days ago. The boy had borrowed his friend’s motorcycle and was passing through Vaniyampalayam village near Panruti when he hit K. Kanishka, 3, of Maragathapuram who was playing in front of her grandmother’s house.
The child fainted and was admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Mundiyambakkam and later referred to the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry.
Body found
Meanwhile, Kathir was found hanging from a banyan tree at Nallurpalayam near Panruti on Saturday evening.
On information, the police rushed to the spot and retrieved the body and sent it for post-mortem to Cuddalore Government General Hospital.
The police have registered a case under Section 306 and Section 3 (2) of Scheduled Castes/Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Rrelatives of Kathir on Monday blocked the Panruti-Pudhupettai Road. The protesters alleged that Kathir was murdered and his body was hanged from the banyan tree. The protesters dispersed after police and revenue officials held talks.
Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the Tamil Nadu’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.
