Abused by Panchayat assistant, visually impaired man begs Collector for help

The heart-rending scene unfolded during the regular Monday grievances day meeting at the Tiruvannamalai Collectorate. 

The incident occurred when Collector KS Kandasamy was about to receive petitions from the public at the meeting hall. Vijayan (44) of Ariyapadi village in Wandiwash taluk along with some others, sat in protest in the meeting hall. When the Collector came that way, he fell at Kandasamy’s feet, pleading for action. 

Enquiries revealed that Vijayan had repeatedly submitted pleas for provision of free goats under the state government scheme. His entreaties reportedly irritated Ariyapadi panchayat assistant Murugan, who allegedly beat him, helped by his wife Padma at a gram sabha meeting on January 26. 

He said Pernamallur police filed a case only after he moved the SP’s office, but  even after that no action had been taken against Murugan. Stating that he had nowhere else to go, he fell at Kandasamy’s feet. The latter promised to take action against Murugan.