46 caste hindus booked for attack on dalits

Virudhunagar, Feb 6 (PTI) Cases have been registeredagainst 46 caste hindus in the district here for allegedlyattacking dalits and ransacking their houses in Tamaraikulamarea, police said today.

The incident, in which 10 dalits were injured, took placeyesterday in Tiruchuzhi Block, following a dispute over theerection of flag posts of dalit-outfit Viduthalai ChiruthaigalKatchi (VCK), police said.

Caste hindus attacked dalits, including women andchildren, ransacked houses and took away valuables includingsome jewellery, they said, adding the houses damaged in theincident included that of the Tamaraikulam MunicipalVice-President.

Police said VCK partymen had pasted posters against thecaste hindus of Tamaraikulam and nearby Thachanendal that hadopposed the erection of the flag posts.

''People''s Watch'', an NGO, alleged the two-tumbler systemstill existed in the village, wherein dalits and upper castepeople are made to use different tumblers in tea shops andeating joints. They demanded compensation for the dalitsaffected by the attack.