Uproar over Dalit labourer's suspicious death being called a suicide, questions raised on hanging with hands tied, Dalit organisations demand fair probe
Tiruppur (Tamil Nadu): The Tamil Nadu police have been accused of covering up the suspicious death of a Dalit youth in Tiruppur district by calling it a suicide. The police have called the death of 42-year-old K. Murugan, a daily wage labourer, a suicide, but Dalit activists and political parties have raised questions — especially about how a person with his hands tied could commit suicide by hanging from a tree?
Activists also allege that the police have made the case more suspicious by cremating the body quickly.
According to a report by The News Minute, Murugan, who was a resident of Senakkalpalayam village, was found hanging from a neem tree on the morning of June 26 (Thursday). The land is reportedly owned by Palaniswami Gounder, for whom Murugan worked as a daily wage labourer.
The police have registered a case of suicide under Section 194 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS) and based the statement of Murugan’s wife Manimegalai, who reportedly denied any foul play.
According to the FIR, Manimegalai told the police that Murugan was ill for a long time and was mentally disturbed due to his alcohol addiction. He was undergoing treatment for tuberculosis at the Christian Fellowship Hospital in Oddanchatram, but did not quit drinking despite doctors’ advice, which worsened his condition.
The FIR states that on the night of June 25, Murugan suffered severe stomach pain and was rushed to the Dharapuram Government Hospital twice. The couple stayed at a relative’s house for the night, and the next morning Murugan said he was fine now and was going to work. A few hours later, Manimegalai received information that her husband was found hanging from a tree near the military colony.
The Alangiyam police recovered the body, sent it for post-mortem and handed it over to the family for cremation the next day.
However, Dalit organisations and activists have questioned the police claim. Mugilarasan, state principal secretary of Tamil Puligal Katchi, submitted a memorandum to the DSP, accusing Manimegalai of being pressured to change her statement.
He claimed that both Murugan and his wife worked for the Gounder family and some locals and relatives were spreading false rumours about Murugan’s debt and illness to suppress the truth under caste pressure.
The memorandum said, “There is clearly a mystery in this death. A man with his hands tied cannot climb a 20-feet high tree and commit suicide by tying a rope. If he had done so, the branch would have broken. We believe he was murdered and made to look like a suicide.” Siruthai Valluvan, zonal secretary of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), also questioned the police’s hurried cremation and concealment of evidence.
“Even children will not believe that Murugan hanged himself with his hands tied. How can the police make such a claim? The Tamil Nadu government should compensate the victim’s family and ensure the safety of Dalits in the region,” Valluvan said.
When contacted, the Alangiyam police denied any foul play.
“When we recovered the body, the hands were not tied but the rope was just wrapped around the hands. The post-mortem report did not reveal any internal injuries or marks of strangulation,” a police officer said over the phone.
The police have confirmed that the land where Murugan’s body was found belongs to Palaniswami Gounder–further fuelling suspicion.
Courtesy : Rajan Chaudhary, Hindi News