Chennai, December 7, : , Officials said Tuesday that the police of Tamil Nadu’s Myladuthurai District are on high alert after a stone-pelting incident in Pattavarati Village. The confrontation took place Monday, between VCK and Dalit cadres, as well as villagers from Thevar.
It was after VCK cadres attempted to put garland around a 3ft high picture of BR Ambedkar, near a bus stop, to mark the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Constitution.
Locals claimed that the VCK had attempted to create an issue after it placed a portrait of BR Ambedkar on a public spot in the village dominated instead by Thevar community members.
Vijayaraghavan is a past member of Pattavarati Panchayath and a Thevar citizen.He said to IANS that the VCK had intentionally tried to cause divisions among village residents based on caste.This provoked Thevar.The Dalit colonies used to hang the portrait of BR Ambedkar every year at their headquarters, but they decided to make it public this year.This led to divisions.
IANS was informed by a top police officer that while the situation has settled after police used mild cane-charge to deal with it, there may still be some undercurrents because the matter involves two castes.This is a sensitive topic in Tamil Nadu and police are not taking this lightly.”
M.Eezhavazhavan, a former Myladuthurai District Secretary, said to IANS that he was putting a garland around Ambedkar’s face when stone pelting began.He was a VCK leader, and was also the ex-Myladuthurai area secretary.
Some cadres were offended, and there was some argument.but nothing more.
To prevent untoward incidents, a large police force has been stationed in the vicinity.
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