Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president and Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan has demanded that the state government set up a special police intelligence unit to prevent caste-based atrocities following a vicious attack on a Dalit teenager in Thoothukudi district.
On March 10, it came to light that a Class 12 Dalit student was dragged off a bus on his way to school and brutally attacked by three unidentified individuals with sharp weapons. The boy, identified as Devendran Raj, lost four fingers in the attack and is currently in critical condition, undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Tirunelveli district.
According to reports, three individuals, including two minors, have been arrested by Srivaikuntam police for the attack. The accused targeted Devendran, the son of a brick kiln worker from Ariyanayagipuram, while he was traveling by bus to his school in Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli district.
When the bus reached Kettiyammalpuram in Thoothukudi district, the accused stopped the vehicle, dragged Devendran off, and assaulted him with sharp weapons before fleeing the scene. Devendran sustained injuries to his head, back, neck, and hands.
In a statement, Thirumavalavan said that Devendran is currently undergoing surgery to reattach his severed fingers, but one finger could not be found. Condemning the horrific violence, he added that Devendran was a member of the Ariyanayagipuram kabaddi team, which had secured a victory against the Kettiyammalpuram team earlier this month.
“Devendran celebrated this victory with the trophy cup. The accused from Kettiyammalpuram could not tolerate this and attacked him, according to his parents. The Tamil Nadu government must ensure that he receives the best medical treatment,” Thirumavalavan stated.
The VCK president further demanded: “Caste-based violence and killings are continually occurring in the southern districts, especially in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi. The Tamil Nadu government must take necessary action to prevent caste atrocities. For this, they must establish a special intelligence task force to curb such caste-based violence.”