Four Dalit sanitation workers from Melpathi Village in Villupuram district have alleged that they were verbally abused and forced to clean faeces with bare hands. Following this, the government has ordered an inquiry into the allegations.
One of the workers alleged that he and three of his colleagues were repeatedly abused by Melpathi panchayat president and a few Hindu residents. The workers alleged, “We were humiliated, intimidated and forced to do demeaning jobs making us feel like we didn’t belong here.”
The workers also said that they were forced to sign blank papers that were later used to withdraw the complaints the workers had made.
The complaint was filed in May this year. As stated by the workers, the officers forced them into signing fake documents to make it appear that they have dropped the case. They also alleged that the police supported and aided one of the accused, Maniv who assaulted one of the workers.
The workers have now been removed from working in Caste Hindu areas. They also demanded that action be taken against the accused and the police who helped them. No action has been taken since the complaint was withdrawn in the presence of Koliyanur Block Development Officer, said Villupuram SP Sarvanan.
Courtesy : Muslim Mirror
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