Members of the Narikuravar community, under the banner of the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF), staged a sit-in protest near the Pudukkottai District Collector’s office on Tuesday, demanding the issuance of ‘Hindu Aadhiyan’ community certificates and housing site pattas, as reported in Theekkadhir.
More than 200 members of the Narikuravar community from various parts of Pudukkottai district participated in the demonstration, alleging that the prolonged delay in issuing community certificates and housing pattas had deprived them of access to several government welfare schemes.
The protesters said the absence of community certificates had prevented many members of the community from availing educational benefits, reservation quotas, financial assistance and other welfare measures provided by the government.
Among those who took part in the protest were K. Samuelraj, All India Vice-President of the Dalit Liberation National Platform (DSMM); S. Sankar, CPM District Secretary; C. Anbumanavalan, TNUEF District President; C. Jeevanandam, District Treasurer; office-bearers M.A. Rahman, S. Nallathambi, K. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, K. Jayabalan, K. Shanmugam and A. Manavalan; and S. Pandian, CPM City Secretary.
Following the protest, representatives of the demonstrators held talks with the district administration under the leadership of District Collector M. Aruna.
During the discussions, the district administration assured the protesters that steps would be taken to issue pattas to families residing on Meichal Poramboke (grazing) lands. It also assured that alternative land, housing site pattas and free houses would be provided to residents of the Gandarvakottai area.
The administration further assured that ‘Hindu Aadhiyan’ community certificates would be issued immediately to Vasanthi and Anjugam from the Kamarajapuram area of Pudukkottai. It also agreed to examine the pending applications of the remaining 77 applicants and take appropriate action.
Following the assurances given by the district administration, the protesters agreed to temporarily call off the sit-in protest.
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