The Madras High Court today posted to Monday a writ petition seeking adequate compensation to Dalit victims of Seshasamudram village in Villpuram district.
Justice M M Sundresh, before whom the matter came up, posted the plea to Monday for instructions from Villupuram district collector and state's home secretary.
The petition filed by one Arunachalam alleged that on the eve of the Mariamman temple festival on August 15, their houses were attacked and torched by caste Hindus, who disrupted the temple car festival also.
The car was to pass through streets and public roads in around the Seshasamudram colony on August 16, but the festival could not take place due to the violence unleashed on the residents. The petition alleged that eight houses were gutted, while 40 others suffered partial damage.
Ten policemen guarding the temple car too were also attacked. District revenue officials too came under attack, it said.
The petition said government assessed the damage caused to Dalit households and a mere Rs 90,000 each had been granted as relief.
Arunachalam said the aggrieved residents have submitted a representation to authorities on August 31 seeking just compensation as provided for under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
In order to protect the religious rights of Seshasamudram Dalits, the court should direct authorities to extend necessary police protection for them to conduct the disrupted temple car festival again, the petitioner said.
