Caste clash:state& dist level co'tees should monitor situation

The Madras High Court today suggested that state-level and district level committees regularly monitor the situation in Uthapuram village, which witnessed violent clashes between Dalits and caste Hindus in 2008, to prevent its recurrence.
A division bench comprising Justices Chitra Venkatraman and S Vimala while disposing of a petition by All India Democratic Women's Association District Secretary S K Ponnuthai, said they shared the anxiety expressed by AIDWA counsel on the need to take steps to implement the compromise reached between the two parties.
"The proper course will be to leave the matter to the good sense of the committees," the bench said.

They directed state and district committees to organise meetings as may be required to monitor and to take preventive steps to ensure such incidents as in 2008 do not recur.
As a single judge had already passed an order on the compensation, no further order was needed, the judges said.
On action to be taken against erring officials, the judges said they have left it to the district administration to take suitable action.

Two groups from different castes resorted to stone pelting after an altercation over worshipping at a temple at Uthapuram in Peraiyur taluk of the district in 2008. Earlier, a wall dividing the Dalit area from other areas also was demolished on government orders.

After the incident, several clashes took place and police were also charged with being biased.
AIDWA alleged that the Committees had not met and that the nodal officer appointed to monitor the village had never visited Uthapuram.
It also alleged that compensation had not been paid to those affected and that officials had not cooperated with the enquiry commission. They filed a petition, seeking relief and implementation of compromise clauses already reached.