The Sendurai police have registered a case against 24 people — all belonging to the Vanniyar community — in connection with Thursday’s violence in Ponparappi village in Ariyalur district, in which 20 Dalit houses were damaged.
Security in the village has been tightened in the wake of the clash between members of the Vanniyar and SC communities.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan demanded repolling at Ponparappi. Talking to the media at Kumbakonam, he alleged that fascist forces unleashed terror during elections in north Tamil Nadu fearing defeat. Ponparappi was one such place where the Dalit voters were prevented from exercising their franchise. Such incidents had taken place in Marathurai and Neerathanallur in Thanjavur district too, he claimed. He alleged that 2,000 bogus votes had been polled in Ponparappi.
Stalin slams attack
DMK president M.K. Stalin urged police to crush anti-social elements to maintain the law and order situation in the State. In a statement, he condemned the attack on the houses of Dalits in Ponparappi in Ariyalur district and the alleged police “inaction”.
PMK founder S Ramadoss claimed that VCK cadre had threatened women voters at the Ponparappi polling booth. In a statement, he said that VCK cadres had told women that they would face adverse consequences once the party wins in Chidambaram.
