PUDUKKOTTAI: A woman panchayat leader, belonging to a Dalit community, was prevented from hoisting the national flag during the Republic Day celebrations in Karukkakurichy, near here. Though the panchayat chief lodged a complaint, the police have not filed an FIR. Kalaimani Annadurai, the panchayat leader, had lodged a complaint with the Vadakadu police station stating that a group of Hindus prevented her from hoisting the national flag at the panchayat office on Republic Day. The police said they had not filed an FIR on the complaint given on January 26, as they had asked her to report to the police station regarding her complaint. They further contradicted Kalaimani’s charge and said the incident had occurred only at a school and not at the panchayat office. Police said Kalaimani Annadurai, president of Karukkakurichy North panchayat under Vadakadu police limits, had sought police protection during the Republic Day celebration at a government elementary school on Rajali Street, where she was to hoist the national flag. When the panchayat president reached the school premises, SI Jayabal and constable Murugesan, were at the spot. However, a group of Hindus, who had gathered there, claimed that they used to hoist the flag in the school regularly, due to their long association with the institution. The police who came for the protection of the Dalit panchayat chief, negotiated a settlement and asked the school HM to hoist the flag. Later in the day, Kalaimani lodged a complaint with the Vadakadu police alleging insult to her by a group of 20 persons, led by their leader Kumar, who prevented her from hoisting the national flag at the panchayat office premises. But no FIR had been filed yet. Sources said the atmosphere within the panchayat office had not been quite cordial as there were differences between the panchayat chief and other members on communal grounds.
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