Medha Patkar meets Marakkanam riot victims

Medha Patkar meets Marakkanam riot victims

Social activist Medha Patkar visited Marakkanam on Thursday and met the victims of the caste clash violence that took place last month, here.

Patkar arrived at Marakkanam by 8.10 am. Police sources said, “On being informed of Medha Patkar’s visit to Marakkanam, a posse of police have been deployed on the ECR road to curb her from entering the violence-hit areas.”

Police also approached her and informed about the section 144 that was enforced in Villupuram district triggered by the violence and asked her to keep away from Marakkanam area.

However, Patkar responded to this by saying that she was visiting Marakkanam not as a political leader but as a normal citizen of the country.

“We are only two of us who would be visiting the spot, which is allowed under section 144. As per the section, only four or more persons were not allowed to go together or in a group,” she further told the police.

Medha Patkar spent nearly 45 minutes with the affected people and listened to their grievances. Patkar told reporters, “I spoke to the governor about the violence. I will take this matter to the notice of central government too. Affected people should be given adequate compensation.” 

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