CPI (M) calls for justice in dalit teen assault case

Madurai: CPI (M) has strongly condemned the recent attack on a dalit teen boy in Usilampatti in Madurai and demanded the immediate arrest of all the accused. No accused were arrested in the case as of Tuesday.

Madurai rural district police on Saturday booked six people, including minors, under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act for hurling casteist slurs against a 17-year-old dalit boy, beating him up, and making him fall at their feet over previous enmity at Sangampatti village on Jan 16. Though the victim also alleged that he was urinated on in the presence of a six-year-old boy, police have refuted it.

P Shanmugam, state secretary, CPI (M), said that all accused behind the brutal assault and caste atrocities committed against the dalit teen must be arrested immediately. "The Tamil Nadu govt and police should take steps to prevent such caste atrocities. Further, the victim and his family should be given protection and compensation should also be provided," he added.

Meanwhile, police said that inquiry is on with suspects and investigation was still ongoing in the case.