Officials conduct inquiry into lynching of youth

On July 8, a 22-year-old Dalit youth Kathir alias Kathiresan was lynched to death by a 57-year-old farmer Thangarasu and his two sons- Suresh (37) and Baskar (30) over personal enmity between the two in Thirupainjeeli village near Manachanallur town of the district. 

It is alleged the accused dragged the victim from his house and took him to their field and reportedly assaulted him with wooden logs while accusing him of damaging their irrigation tools in their field. The victim Kathiresan died on the spot.  

After the reports were carried, the National Commission for SC/ST ordered for a probe and on Friday, a team of commission led by the Commission Director (Tamil Nadu and Puducherry) M Madhiyazhagan along with senior investigators S Lister and A Inian and Member of Vigilance and Monitoring Committee SC/ ST POA B Pandiaraja visited the house of Kathiresan and conducted an inquiry with the family. 

Kathiresan’s father Ganesan, a traditional thappu (drum) player, narrated the incident that caste Hindus led by the 57 year old Thangarasu and his sons entered their house on the day of incident and dragged him out. 

“I sensed that they will assault him. I fell at their feet but they kicked me out of the way,” he said, adding, “They  asked whether they can become equal by marrying a caste Hindu girl. Kathiresan had married a BC community girl six months ago. Later, Ganesan was told that his son was lying dead in the field of Thangarasu. “There was an enmity between families of Kathiresan and Thangarasu during local body polls which were later cancelled”, Ganesan revealed. 

Subsequently, the officials held inquiries with the SP and Collector about the incident. Director Madhiyazhagan said they have recommended compensation to the family members and employment to one them. They have already handed over compensation amount of Rs 4 lakh under SC/ST welfare department. Meanwhile, the team will submit the report to the Commission in Delhi on Monday.