Dalit Panchayat Presidents 'detained' by DMK functionaries

Madurai, Feb 21 (UNI) Presidents of the three controversial reserved panchayats-Pappapatti, Keeripatti and Nattarmangalam, who threatened to quit office in the wake of the District Collector's transfer, have been 'detained,' allegedly by DMK functionaries.

The three, elected to office after a decade of poll boycott by the dominant castes, plan to proceed to Chennai this evening to press for stopping the transfer of Collector T Udhayachandran to Erode.

Fearing threat to their life and property, they said the transfer would also hamper the pace of developmental work, taken up in these villages after a gap of ten years.

They questioned the bonafide of the transfer and alleged it was due to political interference.

Earlier in the day, DMK legislator and Madurai (Rural) District Secretary P Murthy, accompanied by party Chellampatti Union Secretary Ukkirapandi and others, reportedly rushed to the three panchayats and 'brought' them to the city. They also had in their custody the vice-presidents of these panchayats, it was said.

Around noon, Mr Murthy, Usilampatti Union Chairman O S R Thangapandian and other DMK functionaries took all the six panchayat leaders to the Collector's residence. Later, they were all lodged in a hotel in the city for a meeting with the Collector.

When contacted over phone, the panchayat presidents said they were being forced to refrain from resigning.

Meanwhile, police foiled the attempts to hold a demonstration at Usilampatti, protesting the transfer. A large police posse had been deployed in Usilampatti, contiguous to the three panchayats. Also, a group of people from Pappapatti, proceeding to the city for a protest, were detained at Valandur.

CPI(M) MP P Mohan called upon the Government to allow Udhayachandran, instrumental in holding elections to the three controversial reserved panchayats, to continue as Collector.

UNI