Rajeshwari (15), daughter of Aseervatham, is resident of P.S.Raja Nagar, Arumuganeri, Thiruchendur Taluk, Thoothukudi District. She belongs to Dalit Arunthathiyar community, and studying 9^th std in Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Arumuganeri. Dharmakumar S/o Kovilraj, belongs to dominant caste hindu nadar community and resident of PS Raja Nagar, used to harass Rajeshwari. He used to harass her along with his friends, stalks her all the time.

On 24/01/2010 11 am while Rajeshwari went to the stationery shop. On seeing Dharmakumar along with his friends, she went to another shop of the adjacent street. On noticing this, Dharmakumar followed and harassed her. He pulled her by her hand and asked where she is going?. Rajeshwari warned him and shouted for help. Dharmakumar told that no one could stop him and no one dare to question him. Again he intimidated her. Rajeshwari cried for help. Hence he ranaway from the place of incident. On returning to the house, she reported about this incidents to her mother. Ms. Kani, mother of Rajeshwari went to Dharmakumar’s house and asked his parents to warn him and to advise him not to do such things. But Dharmakumar’s parents and sisters, replied that why you are shouting as if your daughter was raped by my brother. Since there is no girls from our community, he will indulge in such things with the Sakkilis. Again they told that being a man he will do such things and asked Rajeshwari to go away. Kovilraj, father of Dharmakumar, threatened to kill them with a sickle. They verbally abused them referring derogatory regarding caste and unprintable words. Hence Rajeshwari and her mother came back home. Kovilraj followed them with the sickle upto their house and again verbally abused them and threatened them. People plucked the sickle from him and asked to go away.

A complaint was given regarding this atrocity with the Arumuganeri Police station. The perpetrator Dharmakumar was arrested and the police have not taken any action against Kovilraj and his daughters. 

S. Durai (42), resident of Aalampoondi Village, Gingee Taluk, Villupuram District, is doing Biscuit wholesale business. His daughter Jothi Meena aged 11, is studying 6^th Standard in St. Michael Higher Secondary School, Gingee. His son Jothibasu (14), is also studying in the same school. Jothimeena’s Grandmother’s house is in Aerikarai Village, Gingee.

On 22/01/2010, 4.30 pm, Jothimeena went to her grandmother’s house. After a while, to go back to her home, she was walking towards Theasurpattai, to board a bus to her village. While she was walking towards the bus stand, one person named Munuswamy, who was unknown to her, riding a Hero Honda Bike, stopped the bike and asked her name. Then he told that he knew their school where she was studying and also the class teacher Sahayam. When Jothimeena told that she is going to her home in Aalampoondi village, Munusamy told that he will drop her in her village since he is going to her village to meet Sahayam Teacher to repay the debt. When Jothimeena refused to go with him, he started threatening her with a knife. He told that he will kill her if she refuses to come with him. Due to fear, Jothimeena went with him.

Munusamy took her to a isolated spot in the outskirts of Gingee and sexually assaulted her. Munusamy bitten her all over body and her lips. He forcefully attempted to have sexual relationship with her. Then he threatened her that he will kill her and do the same to her mother if she reveal this to others. On her return to the house, he reported this atrocity to her brother and parents. Then she was taken to the Villupuram  Government Hospital for medical assistance. On 23/01/2010, her parents filed a complaint with the Gingee Police station. Munusamy was arrested for this heinous crime. 

K. Mannagkatti,  (55), resident of Vellaiampattu village, Kaanai union, Villupuram District. belongs to Dalit Paraiyar community. He is a farm labourer. On 19/01/2010, Mannagkatti, Paramasivan, Vigi and Sathish, ploughed the land of Kovindhan Kounder. On 20/01/2010, Mannagkatti and others were working in the Ayyavu Kounder land, which is adjacent to Kovindan’s land. Kovindhan came to visit his land. On seeing Kovindhan, Mannagkatti asked him to give the wage for the work done. In reply Kovindhan told that his son will pay the amount. When Mannagkatti asked Krishnan s/o Kovindhan to pay the wage. Krishnan verbally abused him referring derogatory regarding caste. He accused him of haphazard work. When Mannagkatti objected this, Kovindhan pushed him down and tried to beat him with a big lathi. Paramasivam who came to the rescue of Mannangkatti, was injured while blocking the lathi. Then Mannagkatti and Paramasivam rushed to the Anandhapuram Police station to file the complaint. In the mean time Kovindhan filed a complaint against the victims. Kovindhan, Krishnan, Mannagkatti were kept under custody. Both the parties were released on the next day.  

Brief detail of the Incident:

Jakkala Nirmala Kumari is working as an accountant in DWACRA Mahila Samakhya Sangam in Anaparthi, East Godavari district Sarakanam Veda Kumari, Keshana Kurthi Durga and Mugidi Lakshmi are working as Assistant Project Manager, Office Bearer and Village Organiser respectively. Loans were sanctioned to the Samakhya for SC, STs. According to this scheme the SC, STs Taking loans for the first time are eligible. But Veda Kumari and Durga have decided to sanction the loan to a group called Daya. They forced Nirmala to issue the cheque in favour of Daya group. When Nirmala said that she would issue the cheque after consulting the Accounts Officer, Veda Kumari and Durga became furious. They threatened her saying that they would terminate her job. Nirmala had to issue the cheque in that helpless situation.

Veda Kumari was transferred and A. Varalakshmi joined as Assistant Project Manager. A loan of Rs. 1, 33,000/- was sanctioned once again under the supervision of Mandal Coordinator. In the General Body meeting conducted for this loan the village organizers and animators asked for the previous loan’s account.  When Nirmala said that the amount was sanctioned to Daya group,  Varalakshmi asked them about the details. Daya group replied that they did not receive any such loan. A statement was recorded as such from Daya group and Veda Kumari. Since then the harassment on Nirmala Kumari has increased.

Veda Kumari, Durga and Lakshmi reported to the MDO that Nirmala’s character is not good and she has extra-marital relations with others and if such people are employed the reputation of the organization would go down. But the MDO did not care their words. On 18.01.2010, at about 3.30 p.m. Veda Kumari, Durga and Laksmi came to Nirmala and abused her in filthy language in the name of caste. They threatened her that they would portray her as a prostitute so that she will loose her job and also she will never get married. They again complained to the MDO. MDO has enquired and come to know the facts. He admonished Veda Kumari, Durga and Lakshmi.

Nirmala Kumari has lodged a complaint in Anaparthi PS.  As Shesha Ratnam, M.P.P was in the favor of the accused, the DSP interrogated the victim only.  The case was registered after the Rasta Roko (public action).  The district level leaders of Samaikhya pressurized Nirmala Kumari to withdraw the complaint or else she will lose her job.  

Jehaveerapandianpuram is in Ottapidaram Taluk, Thoothukudi District. This village is home to nearly 100 Dalit Pallan community families and 30 Dalit Arunthathiyar community families. This particular settlement lacks basic facilities for decent standard of living. There is no proper road facilities and drainage facilities. There is no burial ground for the people of this village. This particular village people are prone to health related diseases. But other villages which are home to dominant caste hindu Nayakkar communities, are provided with Cement Road facilities and Proper drainage facilities. In the Nayakkar neighborhood every three houses are provided with drinking water tap facilities. In the Jehaveerapandianpuram, there is only on drinking water tap is provided for all the 100 families. The Block development Office and the District administration is negligent to provide the basic facilities for dalit people. Even after repeated complaints Panchayat president and Vice-president are negligent to fulfill the basic facilities. But in the notice board, it was mentioned as if all the basic facilities have been provided to the village. Even after repeated complaints to the higher officials, there is no proper response from the higher authorities of the concerned departments. District Administration is making promises and not mindful to fulfill those promises.

On 19/01/2010, Dalits belonging to this village, filed a complaint with the District Magistrate seeking the provision of road, drainage, drinking water facilities and other benefits for the well being of the people of this village.