Madurai:
The Madras High Court Bench has praised Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Asra Garg for creating unity among caste Hindus and Dalits of nearby Villoor village, who were at loggerheads for a long time, through negotiations.
Justice D Hariparanthaman recorded his appreciation for the Police team led by the SP,closing a petition filed by Villoor Panchayat President S. Subbulakshmi, who sought a judicial enquiry into the incidents that led to police firing in the village on May 1 last year.
The case was closed after Mr Garg filed a status report, stating Agamudaiyars and Dalits had agreed to live in peace.
The SP said that some forms of untouchability did exist in the village from times immemorial. Dalits were not allowed to ride vehicles through streets occupied by caste Hindus and 'double tumbler' system was in vogue in tea shops.
On April 30 2011,a 22-year-old Dalit man was assaulted by caste Hindus when he tried to ride a two-wheeler through their street, in connection with which five persons were arrested on May 1.
Mr Garg said that he had visited the village that day to assess the actual situation and that after he left, some Dalit houses were torched by a crowd.
He again returned to the village and as he was approaching the area another armed crowd attacked them, forcing them to retreat as they were outnumbered.
The crowd surrounded the police station and attacked it.
As all lawful steps did not yield any result, Mr Garg said that he along with his Personal Security Officer fired a few rounds in the air to protect themselves and the police station, after which the crowd dispersed.
Seven criminal cases were later registered in connection with the incident. Meanwhile a police team tried to bring about peace by holding a series of peace committee meetings.
The efforts bore fruits as leaders of both communities signed an agreement on April 24 to iron out differences and live peacefully and to ensure untouchability is not practised.
Justice D Hariparanthaman recorded his appreciation for the Police team led by the SP,closing a petition filed by Villoor Panchayat President S. Subbulakshmi, who sought a judicial enquiry into the incidents that led to police firing in the village on May 1 last year.
The case was closed after Mr Garg filed a status report, stating Agamudaiyars and Dalits had agreed to live in peace.
The SP said that some forms of untouchability did exist in the village from times immemorial. Dalits were not allowed to ride vehicles through streets occupied by caste Hindus and 'double tumbler' system was in vogue in tea shops.
On April 30 2011,a 22-year-old Dalit man was assaulted by caste Hindus when he tried to ride a two-wheeler through their street, in connection with which five persons were arrested on May 1.
Mr Garg said that he had visited the village that day to assess the actual situation and that after he left, some Dalit houses were torched by a crowd.
He again returned to the village and as he was approaching the area another armed crowd attacked them, forcing them to retreat as they were outnumbered.
The crowd surrounded the police station and attacked it.
As all lawful steps did not yield any result, Mr Garg said that he along with his Personal Security Officer fired a few rounds in the air to protect themselves and the police station, after which the crowd dispersed.
Seven criminal cases were later registered in connection with the incident. Meanwhile a police team tried to bring about peace by holding a series of peace committee meetings.
The efforts bore fruits as leaders of both communities signed an agreement on April 24 to iron out differences and live peacefully and to ensure untouchability is not practised.
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