The row over a wall, which reportedly ran across a Dalit Colony at Nagapalayam, thus cutting off their access to the main road, was resolved amicably, Erode Revenue District Officer (RDO) Dr R Sugumar said on Tuesday.
“On Tuesday morning, a group, which was said to have constructed the wall, opened it up at two places creating path for Dalits to access the main road. Everything went off peacefully and both groups are now happy,” he told Express. The wall, which sparked a controversy between caste Hindus and Dalits living in the vicinity, was reportedly constructed even before the land on which it was located, was acquired from a person called Arumuga Gounder by the Adi Dravida Welfare Department in 1992. It was purchased for the purpose of providing house site pattas to 56 Dalit families.
However, there seemed to be no objection to the wall, even when a portion was damaged and rebuilt two years ago. But that changed recently after a particular group claimed that due to the wall, Dalits in the area could not access the main road.
The decision to create the path was taken at a peace meeting between the Dalits and the Upper Caste Hindus on Tuesday.
“Now, this action would ensure peace among the two groups. As per the demand of the Dalits, basic amenities in the area would also be improved,” the Revenue Divisional Officer said.