A 34-year-old Dalit man was hacked to death by a group of youths in Avaniyapuram on Friday, allegedly following a dispute during a temple festival. The victim’s family staged a sit-in protest at the district collectorate on Saturday, demanding the immediate arrest of all those involved.
Victim and Incident Details
The deceased was identified as Balaji of Avaniyapuram. According to police, an altercation broke out between Balaji and a man identified as Sanjay Ramasamy, who belongs to the Maravar community, during the Veerakaliyamman Temple festival held on June 12. Balaji had questioned Sanjay for allegedly misbehaving with women attending the event.
Police said that around 2:30pm on Friday, Sanjay and five others allegedly chased and attacked Balaji and his friend Raja Hussain with swords near Avaniyapuram. While Raja Hussain escaped with minor injuries, Balaji sustained multiple head injuries and died on the spot. Raja Hussain was admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital for treatment.
Legal Action and Protest
Based on a complaint, Avaniyapuram police registered a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Five suspects have been secured in connection with the murder, police said. The victim’s family and supporters staged a protest at the district collectorate on Saturday, seeking swift legal action against the accused and demanding compensation and a government job for a family member under provisions of the SC/ST Act.
The protesters dispersed after deputy commissioner of police (south) A G Inigo Thivyan and other senior officials held talks with them and assured appropriate action.
Caste Motive Questioned
However, a senior police official told TOI that the murder appeared to have stemmed from personal enmity and that investigators had not found evidence of a caste motive so far.
