Dalit leaders to embrace peace after 30 years

Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsSeveral Dalit leaders would come together for a peace meeting at W Pudupatti near Virudhunagar on July 24 to resolve a 30-year-old conflict between members of two sub-castes of the community.A peace committee constituted to look into the issue has roped in VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, Indian Republican Party MLA C K Thamizharasan, Dr Krishnasamy of Pudhiya Thamizhagam, John Pandian of Tamilaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, Srivilliputhur MLA Ponnupandi and Tenkasi MP Lingam for a proposed peace meeting in the village on Tuesday.The peace panel, comprising members of the Odukkappattor Viduthalai Iyakkam and the Thattha Rettimalai Seenivasanar Peravai, Madras High Court advocates and journalists, have also requested the Collector to preside over the meeting on behalf of the government. Permission from the police would be obtained on Monday and the meeting would be convened on Tuesday, they said.Over the past 20 days, the peace panel met the members of the two warring groups on several occasions, before initiating efforts to end the conflict. The repeated conflict between the Paraiyars and the Pallars was gaining momentum, members of the peace panel said, adding that the conflict affected the lives of innocent Dalits in the village.“The meetings we held with them during the past 20 days evoked a positive response as the villagers opened up about their problems,” said Yakkan, a committee member. “They want to bridge the gap between the different castes and communities in the village by properly educating and creating awareness among the students and the youth. They are unhappy with the system that students belonging to different castes have different schools,” he added.There was no apparent reason for the age old conflict, which often triggered violence, they pointed out. “They had all minor issues that were not resolved for a long time due largely to official apathy,” the members maintained.first published:January 01, 1970, 05:30 ISTlast updated:January 01, 1970, 05:30 IST 
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