Backing outside candidate; 9 families ostracised

 THOOTHUKUDI: Nine families have allegedly been ostracised from a village near Vilathikulam for supporting a particular candidate during the recent local body polls. Fearing for their lives, the victims have reportedly fled the village.Sources said a group of 100 people, led by Muniasamy of Keela Ilanthaikulam village, were reportedly involved in the campaign for Mahalakshmi, a candidate for the Manthikulam panchayat president post and resident of neighbouring Lakshminarayanapuram.  Another candidate of Keela Ilanthaikulam, Saraswathi, also contested for the same post. But both lost the elections.Angered by Munisamy’s support to Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi and her supporters, led by panchayat clerk Kiriyaoosi Thangam, convened a meeting in the village on October 22. It was Thangam who earlier proposed Saraswathy’s name during the polls, since the post was reserved for women candidates.During the meeting, a resolution was adopted ostracising the nine families, including that of Muniasamy, Karmegam, Karrupasamy, A Murugan, Veeraperumal, Thangamariappan, Muthusamy, Muthukrishnan and another Murugan.The families were also allegedly barred from attending functions in the village, buying groceries from the shops, sitting in public places and visiting the library.  Meanwhile, Muniasamy alleged that death threats were issued to his family members. “My wife went to fetch water from the public hand pump, but was issued a life threat by some persons,” he claimed.He also alleged that the panchayat clerk had embezzled the funds generated by the Vaipar sand quarry -- coming under the Manthikulam panchayat limits. He said many chose to support Mahalakshmi due to this.On Thursday, all the nine families submitted a petition to the District Revenue Officer and sought protection. They have also sent a petition to the Chief Minister’s special cell seeking immediate action.