Tension over funeral function

Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, Mar 21 (UNI) Tension prevailed at Sedapalayam village in this district of Tamil Nadu following revenue and police personnel conducting a funeral function.

On January 1 this year a Dalit youth Siva was allegedly murdered by people of Vanniyar community. Legislator Ravi Kumar participated in the funeral procession when seven houses of the Vanniyar community were set on fire and Ravi Kumar was injured in the subsequent police lathi charge. An inquiry was also ordered under the district collector into the incident.

Meanwhile, V Muniyamma (55), a Dalit woman died and the Vanniyar community did not allow them to take out the funeral procession through the Sedapalayam road and asked them to take a traditional route.

However, the Dalits insisted that they wanted to take the body through the Sedapalayam Road following which a peace committee meeting held under the RDO in which the Dalit reportedly said the revenue authorities that they would not take the body through the old way and have no objection in the revenue authorities taking it.

The revenue authorities along with a good number of police personnel took the body and buried it in the cremation ground.

However, none of the relatives of the deceased took part in the funeral.

After the burial, the Dalits protested triggering tension in the village and heavy police pickets were posted to prevent any untoward incidents.

UNI