Five other people from the Other Backward Class community were also injured in the attack.
On Monday, March 2, a group of nine people allegedly murdered a disabled Dalit man and a migrant worker from Odisha on the basis of caste in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu.
The incident took place in Perumapathu village, under the Nanguneri police station.
According to The Siasat Daily, the deceased have been identified as 42-year-old John Mark, a resident of Perumapathu village, and 57-year-old Srinath Gadda from Odisha.
Police have identified the accused as Kannan, Vasantha Kumar, Anthony Michel, Uchimahali alias Mittai, Raja alias Esakiraja, Subbaiah alias Subhash, and Kalyani, aged between 19 and 21 years.
According to a Maktoob Media report, two of the accused were also named in an earlier attack on Dalits, although their identities were not disclosed under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
Some of the attackers were traced and arrested on Tuesday, March 3, and police stated that strict action would be taken against the accused.
An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told PTI, “Police are taking strict action. Some people have been arrested and are being questioned in detail.”
Five other people from the Other Backward Class (OBC) community were also injured in the attack. While police initially did not confirm the motive for the attack, later reports indicated that the young men, who belonged to an influential middle caste, allegedly planned the attack to intimidate Dalit youth in the area.
How the incident unfolded
According to PTI, the victims were at a tea stall on Monday night when a group of nine people on three motorcycles allegedly attacked them with sickles and other weapons, killing Mark and Gadda on the spot.
Two of the injured are reported to be in critical condition at the hospital.
Police immediately formed six special teams late Monday night and launched an investigation. A police officer, without providing further details, said, “This is a sensitive matter. The police will take strict action.”
The incident drew widespread condemnation, and locals from the OBC and Dalit communities protested in the area, demanding the arrest of the accused.
The deceased’s family demanded action.
On Wednesday afternoon, March 4, the body of Srinath Gadda, a migrant worker from Odisha, was handed over to his family, after which he was cremated at the Tirunelveli Corporation crematorium. John Mark’s family reportedly refused to accept his body, demanding the arrest of the accused. They demanded strict action against the suspects.
Tirunelveli District Police stated in a release that a case has been registered and the accused involved in the murder have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Police also reported that some individuals are sharing objectionable content related to the case on social media, using abusive and inflammatory language that could disturb public peace.
Police stated, “Legal action is being initiated against those spreading such objectionable content on social media.” “Cases have already been registered at the Vijayanarayanam Police Station and Nanguneri Police Station, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those responsible for such posts.”
Tirunelveli Superintendent of Police, Dr. V. Prasanna Kumar, warned that strict legal action will be taken against individuals who spread inflammatory or inciting violence content on social media within the district.
Courtesy: Hindi News