Villupuram, Tamil Nadu: Ten days after he attempted to take his own life following an alleged caste-based assault, an 18-year-old Dalit student from Vikravandi in Tamil Nadu died of his injuries on Tuesday. The student, S. Gajini of Vadakuchipalayam, was in his first year of a History course at Government Arignar Anna Arts College.
The Observer Post reported that the chain of events began on November 6, when Gajini was returning home from a hotel. According to police and local sources, three men from the Vanniyar community, allegedly drunk and riding triple on a motorbike, collided with his two-wheeler and a confrontation followed. When the men learnt that Gajini belonged to a Dalit locality, they allegedly assaulted him and hurled caste slurs before fleeing as his father arrived at the spot.
On November 9, Gajini attempted suicide at home. His family immediately took him to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Mundiyambakkam. He was admitted to a local intensive critical care unit, where he received treatment for ten days and died early Tuesday morning.
Villupuram taluk police have filed a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against three unnamed men. According to authorities, the investigation has been obstructed by Gajini’s inability to accurately identify his attackers, despite his family’s claims that he recognised at least one of them.
Gajini’s father, P. Semmaneri, said “The police are not investigating properly because my son is already dead. Authorities should examine mobile tower data from the location. We want justice,” he told The New Indian Express, adding that Dalit residents who use the same stretch of road need assured safety.
The district Adi Dravidar welfare department has announced a compensation of ₹6 lakh for the family.
Courtesy : Vartha Bharati
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