Apprehension of Preventive Detentions on eve of Car Fest

Kandadevi, Tamil Nadu, July 8 (UNI) Apprehension of large scale preventive detentions looms large on the eve of the controversial Sorna Moortheeswarar temple car festival in this tiny village with the police bracing itself for a successful conduct of the event with token Dalit participation.

The state machinery has been put on high alert with about 4000 police personnel deployed for security in the perennially backward area to ensure that the culmination of the 10-day festival passes off peacefully.

Police said besides an Additional DGP and the South-Zone IG and a DIG, seven SPs, 15 Additional SPs, 27 Dy.SPs, 87 Inspectors and 200 Sub-Inspectors have been drafted for duty. The strong police force included 1200 personnel belonging to the RAF and SAF. Further, eleven check posts, 38 pickets and 12 watch towers have been set up in and around Devakottai sub-division, where prohibitory orders under sec 144 of the Cr PC has been in force. As part of the security measures, four zoom cameras have been installed around the temple premises to keep a watch on the movements of mischief mongers.

According to the Sivaganga District administration and the Police these measures were intended to instill confidence among the devotees and the general public.

The Federation of Dalit Liberation Organisations has alleged that the police were planning to arrest Dalit activists before dawn.

Moreover, activists and leaders have been receiving threats from the police, Federation president V Karuppiah said. According to him, functionaries of BSP, CPI(M-L), Puthiya Thamizhagam, Dalit Panthers of India (DPI), Uzhaikkum Makkal Urimai Iyyakkam and other fraternal outfits were receiving such threats. Some of them had been placed under house arrest, he claimed. Police, however, denied all the charges.

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