Dalits’ progress tied to clashes: NGO

Kathir said that a functionary of All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) from Kinnimangalam village, while crossing Alampatti village saw some Dalit youths sitting on a wall. When the functionary asked them why they did not get down as a mark of respect when he passed by, the youth replied that there was no need for them to do so. Pointing to a VCK flag, the functionary told his supporters that the once subdued Dalit community had begun to claim equality because of the party and insisted them to remove it. The Dalit youth refused and this led to a scuffle, Kathir said.

The AIFB functionary lodged a complaint with the Sekkanoorani police. He along with 30 of his supporters barged into the Dalit colony, allegedly attacked houses and damaged articles. Even women were not spared by the attackers. Though 11 houses were reportedly damaged, the police did not register a case in this connection. The Dalits demanded that the AIFB functionary and his supporters should be booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act of 2015.