DPI holds demonstration to protest police lathicharge

Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, Jan 11 (UNI) The Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) today held a demonstration before the collectorate here condemning the police lathicharge on January 2 in which one of its partyman and MLA Ravi Kumar was injured.

More than 2,000 DPI volunteers including MLAs Ravi Kumar and Selvaperunthagai led by General Secretary Thol Thirumavalavan raised slogans condemning the lathicharge.

Later at a press conference, Mr Thirumavalavan appealed to the state government to constitute a probe into the incident headed by a retired judge.

The police resorted to lathicharge during a clash between two communities on January 2 at Seddapalayam near here.

Thanking the Tamil Nadu Government for giving him the Ambedkar Award, Mr Thirumavalavan said he would be happy if henceforth the award was given to a non-Dalit fighting for the rights of Dalits.

On the Sri Lankan issue, the DPI leader said India should neither give training to the island nation's army or supply them with arms.

He also appealed for stern action on those desecrating statues.

UNI