Chennai: Youth attempts suicide to protest ill treatment of Dalits

Salem: A youth attempted suicide at the district collector’s office in Salem on Thursday, alleging that eight Dalit families were being ostracized by other villagers for refusing to pay donation for a temple festival.

At least eight families from Thottampatty colony near Theevattypatty in Salem district had refused to pay donation for a temple festival as they had embraced another religion some ten years ago.

The other villagers, upset over being denied donation for the festival, allegedly fenced the eight houses blocking their way out. They also snapped the water pipe line and broke the water tank in front of their houses. The affected family members had filed a complaint with Theevattypatty police and the Revenue department, but still no action was taken.

The depressed family members came to the collector’s office to commit suicide by self-immolation; however police getting wind of it in time, prevented them from taking the extreme step. Even as the police were holding talks with the aggrieved members, Raman, who was with them, attempted suicide by dousing himself with kerosene.  

The police immediately foiled his self-immolation bid and rescued him to safety.
The cops then convinced the family members that an enquiry will be initiated and stern action will be taken against those responsible for such actions. Following this, the aggrieved family members left the spot.