Cong, CPM, TTV blame police for Ariyalur violence

Though the Parliamentary polls were largely peaceful in the state, violence erupted in many places, especially at Ponparappi in Ariyalur where Dalits have become victims of violent attacks, Alagiri alleged.

He also charged the ruling dispensation with covering up the violence with the help of police, more so after their political future was jeopardised.

Meanwhile, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran urged the state not to give the miscreants, who are trying to flare up the violent incident at Ponparappi, a free hand. He sought cases to be filed against those who incited the violence. “It is sad that social tension is created at Ponparappi after the clash during the elections that led to a violent attack. I condemn the police for failing to act immediately after the incident,” he said.

Ponting out that social harmony would be affected if religion and caste were involved in politics, he said that it was totally unacceptable to destroy the societal peace for the political gain of a few. “Only the working-class people will be badly affected by such violence. Elections will come and go but all sections of the people should live in harmony,” he said.

CPM too urged the state to book those who attacked Dalits houses at Ponparappi in Ariyalur district under SC/ST Act and sought compensation for the affected. “We appeal to the public not to fall prey to the narrow political gain of certain parties which are inciting violence and trying to destroy social harmony,” party state secretary K Balakrishnan said.

Accusing the PMK and Hindu Munnani for attacking the Dalits, he said that they had unleashed violence fearing defeat in the Lok Sabha polls to VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, who is contesting in the “pot” symbol.