Six days after the death of A.Mangammal, the Dalit girl was buried at Naikkankottai village on Saturday afternoon with heavy police bandobust.
After hectic parleys with the revenue and police officials in Salem and Dharmapuri districts, the body was brought from Salem Government Medical College Hospital on Friday night and buried. As a precautionary measure, the police blocked traffic on the Dharmapuri-Tirupattur Road for an hour during the funeral procession. The traffic on this road was diverted to an alternative route by the district police to avoid unnecessary tension during the procession.
About 500 people including relatives, Dalit organisations and leaders from political parties participated in the funeral. The last rites were performed by women at the Natham Colony burial ground instead of men. Later, a condolence meeting was held at the Natham colony. Mr. Velmurugan, State general secretary, Bahujan Samaj Party, M. Nandan, State deputy secretary, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, P. Dillibabu, Harur M.L.A. and representatives from various rights groups were present.
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The girl had died at the Salem Government Medical College Hospital on December 3, allegedly due to ‘brain fever.’ She was referred to the Salem Government Medical College Hospital from Dharmapuri Government Medical College Hospital on November 29 with high fever.
Her relatives and Dalit groups had refused to accept her body claiming that the death of the girl, presently registered under Section 174 of Cr. PC (suspicious death) be altered to 302 (Murder) of Indian Penal Code.
Earlier on Friday, the Superintendent of Police Asra Garg, reportedly told them that an inquiry would be held into the circumstances that led to the death of Mangammal, by a ‘neutral’ officer in the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
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The Collector had assured them adequate compensation. Following assurance, the relatives of the deceased and Dalit outfits agreed to accept the body.