A 26-year-old Dalit man was allegedly murdered and another youth seriously injured following a dispute over a horse entering a field in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district, triggering protests and demands for swift action against all the accused.
The victim, identified as Ramar, was killed on the night of July 30 in Poombarai village of Kodaikanal taluk. His associate, 20-year-old Prashant, sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at Theni Government Medical College Hospital.
According to local reports and the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF), both Ramar and Prashant earned their livelihood by transporting vegetables from the hills using horses.
The incident allegedly began when a man identified as Raghu, who belongs to an influential caste, came to Ramar’s house claiming that Ramar’s horse had entered his agricultural field. He reportedly took Ramar to the spot, where a group of five men allegedly attacked Ramar and Prashant with sickles and other sharp weapons.
Ramar succumbed to multiple injuries, while Prashant survived the attack and remains under medical care.
Case Registered Under SC/ST Act
Police have registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. However, according to TNUEF, only one accused has been arrested so far, while the remaining suspects are yet to be taken into custody.
Calling the incident a “brutal caste murder,” TNUEF has demanded the immediate arrest of all the accused and strict action under the SC/ST Act.
Demands for Compensation and Protection
The organisation has also sought compensation for Ramar’s family, a government job for his widow, educational assistance for his two children, improved medical treatment for Prashant, and permanent police protection for Prashant and his family.
TNUEF State President T. Sellakkannu and State Secretary S. Muthurani visited Prashant at Theni Government Medical College Hospital, met doctors and the victim’s family, and assured them of legal and organisational support.
Leaders of the All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA), the TNUEF and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) also met the family and expressed solidarity.
According to TNUEF, Prashant’s mother told the visiting delegation that the family fears for their safety and appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to provide immediate and permanent police protection.
Protests Continue
Meanwhile, TNUEF and CPI(M) workers have been staging protests outside the government hospital in Dindigul, demanding justice for Ramar, the arrest of all the accused and stronger action by the authorities.
The organisations have also alleged that the district administration is pressuring Ramar’s parents to accept the body before their demands are addressed. Authorities have not publicly responded to this allegation.
