The Tamil Nadu police on Thursday, January 10, booked four youngsters, including two class 12 students, under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly attacking two Dalit students. The accused belong to the Most Backward Community (MBC). The incident took place in Tirunelveli district. The police have refrained from disclosing the caste identity of both the victims and the perpetrators.
The assault occurred on January 7 outside the Government Higher Secondary School in Vadakku Ariyanayakipuram village, shortly after school hours. According to police reports, the attack was prompted by one of the accused, who alleged that a Class 11 Dalit student had bumped into him earlier that day.
Angered by the incident, the accused, along with three friends, ambushed the Class 11 student and his friend after school and assaulted them. Two of the accused were outsiders, with one of them being over 18 years old.
Bystanders who witnessed the attack intervened and rescued the victims, preventing further harm.
Following a complaint from the victim’s parents, Mukkudal police registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the accused. The accused, who is above 18 years of age, has been arrested, while inquiries are underway with the remaining three juveniles.