Dalits stage black flag demo in Namakkal

NAMAKKAL: Tension gripped the Collectorate premises here on Monday as scores of people staged a black flag demonstration seeking action against the  caste Hindus who buried a body near a Dalit’s house recently.  At least 33 people, including six women, were arrested for staging the protest.Led by P Senthamizhan, district secretary of Arunthamizhar Peravai, members of various Dalit organisations and villagers raised slogans seeking action on the issue.Soon a police team, led by Namakkal Deputy Superintendent of Police Subramani and Inspector Lakshmanakumar, arrested the demonstrators and seized the black flags from them. They were detained at a marriage hall in Nallipalayam and released in the evening, a police officer told Express.“Caste Hindus recently buried a body very close to the house of Devasagayam, a Dalit living in Vadagarayathur village near Jedarpalayam.  It was a deliberate attempt to chase away the Dalit from the land. In fact, Devasagayam had submitted a petition to the revenue officials to take steps to retrieve his panchami land, which was forcibly encroached upon by a caste Hindu family years ago,” said Senthamizhan.He said the stir was held to draw the attention of the senior officials.  Till date, the police and revenue officials have not taken any action against those who buried the body near the house, he added.   When asked, Superintendent of Police Pravesh Kumar said the police and revenue department officials were holding an inquiry and that action would be taken in accordance with the inquiry findings.He noted that the members of the Dalit family did not turn up at a peace committee meeting held a few days ago.