Tensions prevailed outside the District Collectorate complex in Salem as a Dalit woman attempted to immolate herself due to the administration’s apathy over her complaint regarding harassment by DMK goons.
Residents hailing from Konur village near Mettur have been living there for decades and have been making use of a public land.
Recently, two men belonging to the DMK – Pugazhendhi and Vairamani – residing in the same area, tried to grab their land and harassed the family living there asking them to vacate the place.
The DMK goons barged into their house and started creating ruckus by cutting off the trees and breaking the water tanks.
The Dalit family had registered a complaint in this regard and have been wanting to meet the District Collector to expedite action against the perpetrators.
The family on Friday had come to the Collectorate complex today to meet and submit a petition to the Collector. However, they were prevented by the police from entering the complex.
Outraged by the administrative apathy, the lady of the family poured kerosene over her and tried to immolate herself but was quickly prevented by the police and by-standers.
She was later escorted from the premises by the police in an autorickshaw.
Speaking to reporters who had assembled at the spot, the lady said that the harassment has been going on for more than 4 months and that they are not able to stay there peacefully. She said that the police are acting in favour of them and not taking any action.
“We’re being harassed on a daily basis. They are not letting us stay peacefully. They have been torturing us continuously. Since we’re from the Scheduled Caste they are not letting us stay there and have been harassing us. Where will people like us go for getting justice? Their atrocity is unbearable.”, the lady who tried to immolate herself said.
Another lady who had accompanied her said that the DMK men have been using their political clout and have been harassing the Dalit family for a while.
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