Arasanoor Dalits yet to come out of September 8 shock: NCSC

A two-member team during its visit to Arasanoor interacted with the victims and recorded their statements. They also inspected the damages to the houses and other properties of Dalits during the violence in the village.

Kalimuthu, one of the victims, told the NCSC team that a group of caste Hindus switched off the main lights on the fateful night and started attacking them. They were abused chased and attacked mercilessly by the caste Hindus, he claimed.

Balamurugan, who tied the knot on the day of attack, said that the shamiana (tent) put up for his marriage and food were destroyed by the attackers. They even robbed several bags that contained the gift money presented by relatives and guests for the marriage. The mob also did not spare the car in which his relatives came from Chennai. The auto, which was his bread and butter, was also damaged. On hearing his version, the NCSC team told him to show the damages to RTO and get them assessed. 

Tamilarasi, a graduate and a BEd student, claimed that she did not go to college after the violent incidents that happened on September 8. “My family is yet to come out of the shock and still fear that we might be attacked once again by caste Hindus. So, I stopped going to college fearing for my life,” she said adding, police and district administration should take serious steps to restore normalcy in the village. 

The commission also met three people, Ravi, Solagiri and Pandeeswari, who were injured in the communal clash and promised them of action. Pandiraj, member of Awareness and Monitoring committee, Madurai, who accompanied the team, said that the injured persons were given a compensation of Rs 1 lakh. 

After the inspection NCSC team told media persons that Dalits of Arasanoor were still living under fear and the district administration should take steps to allay it. 

The team assured to recommend the police to arrest the absconding accused and drop the case booked against minor boys under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.