Pain continues for families ostracised from Vallampedu

The affected families had taken abode in a community hall in Nochikuppam, Arambakkam following an intra-community clash which left two dead, and nearly 30 houses vandalised and looted on November 20, 2016.

It all started over quality of the construction materials used in building a disaster shelter at the hamlet. The materials were reportedly supplied by Ellappan to the contractor. 

Eighteen persons from the camp of the ostracised were arrested and two of them were detained under Goondas Act. 

Most of them claim that the case was foisted since they were only defending their homes, and one of the deceased Annadurai is from their camp, which had been overlooked to project them to have disturbed the tranquillity of their hamlet. 

Ironically, the cops had booked Chathirathan, the former village head, and close friend of the deceased in that murder.

The families were thus forced to desert the hamlet. “We lost everything (certificates and documents). We are totally dependent on our relatives. We can begin afresh only if we go back to our homes,” Saravanan, one of the ostracised persons, said.

“We left fearing for our lives. Ellappan who also controls the hamlet’s economy has the say in releasing funds from the hamlet’s welfare society, and had categorically warned us not to return to our homes,” rued Malathi.

Sources said the entire hamlet sided with Chathirathan against Ellappan who succeeded he former in maintaining the hamlet’s accounts. Ellappan’s misappropriation issue was brought up for conciliation process moderated by the district revenue officials, and other fishing hamlet leaders, in which Ellappan was reportedly pulled up for his acts. Before any finality could be achieved,  Ellappan is learnt to have orchestrated a clash. The affected lot had petitioned Tiruvallur Collector E Sundaravalli last week, and are awaiting measures from the district administration. The Collector was not available for comment.