Dalit-elect resurfaces: admits to volatility in Village

Madurai, Oct 23 (UNI) Resurfacing nearly after a month, M Balchamy, President-elect of Keeripatti, a reserved Panchayat in the backward Uslimapatti region, today admitted that the situation in the village was volatile but expressed confidence of completing the full term in office.

Talking to mediapersons here after a felicitation at the CPI(M) district office here, Mr Balchamy said ''Problems are still there and the police should ensure security.'' Last seen in public on September 27, when he filed the nomination papers, he had stayed away from the village where even now his house remains locked as fear stalks the Dalit colony. He was declared elected as the nominations of two other Dalits, 'sponsored' by caste Hindus, were rejected on scrutiny.

Flanked by Marxist MP, P Mohan and CPI(M) functionaries, he said, he was banking on the party, the people and the Government for his security and support to function as President of the panchayat.

Keeripatti like nearby Pappapatti and Nattarmangalam and Kottakachiyendal in Virudhunagar District, remained headless for over a decade because of either a poll boycott or immediate resignation of elected candidates, ensured by the dominant castes, demanding de-reservation.

Making it clear that functioning of the panchayat institution depended on the cooperation extended by the villagers, he said provision of basic amenities like drinking water, street lights, roads and housing, besides separate graveyard for the Dalits was on the top of his agenda.

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