Life is gradually returning to normal in violence-hit Ponparappi, where several houses of Dalits were damaged by members of the dominant Vanniyar community on polling day.
Though most of the male residents of the village, who fled fearing police action, are yet to return, elders have returned to the village, following Collector M. Vijayalakshmi’s assurance during a peace meeting on Monday that innocent people won’t be implicated in cases.
“The situation has returned to normal. Buses and taxis are plying as usual,” Ms. Vijayalakshmi told The Hindu after inspecting the rehabilitation work in Ponparappi on Monday.
Noting that the leaders of rival groups in the village had been cooperating well with the district administration to ensure peace and harmony among the residents, she said the State government had issued an order to carry out repairs to damaged houses.
The District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) has been tasked with carrying out the repairs, and 16 houses have been restored so far. The Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department will fund the works.
In a related development, Superintendent of Police V.R. Srinivasan on Monday issued an order to provide ₹50,000 each as compensation to 9 persons under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The amount would be credited to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. All those who were injured in the violence have returned to their homes after receiving treatment.
“The situation is under control and there have been no untoward incidents for the last four days,” Mr. Srinivasan said.
Police pickets have been posted at 12 locations in and around Ponparappi, and will remain for a few more days, Mr. Srinivasan added.
Published - April 23, 2019 01:17 am IST
