Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 10, 2008
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Monday, Mar 10, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
VILLUPURAM: Two persons died in police firing at Eraiyur near Elavanasurkottai in Ulundurpet block on Sunday. Trouble erupted following a friction between two sections of converted Christians over access to church services. The police resorted to firing to disperse a mob that had ransacked houses of Dalit Christians. On information that hundreds of people were attacking the houses and butchering cattle, a contingent of police rushed the place. The crowd turned their ire against the police and threw stones at them. Superintendent of Police A.Amalraj and six other police personnel were injured. In the police firing, two persons, M.Periyanayagam (40) and Mahimai (30), Vanniyar Christians, died of bullet injuries. Dalit Christians of about 150 families complained that they were discriminated against in offering worship at the Annai Sahaya Mary church at Eraiyur. Since Vanniyar Christians constituted a majority, numbering about 2,000 families, they got preference in all church functions and Dalit Christians were relegated to the background. The Dalit Christians had staged several demonstrations. Since, the situation had not improved, they built achurch and requested the Bishop of the Diocese (stationed at Puducherry) to appoint a separate parish priest. But the Bishop had reportedly told them that there could not be two churches of the same order (Catholics) in a single place. In support of their demand, the Dalit Christians had been observing fast since Thursday. Wall postersMeanwhile, wall posters appeared in the area demanding the closure of the old church and announcing the arrival of Sinthanai Selvan, deputy general secretary of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, to end the fast on Sunday. This angered the other group. After the firing, Vanniyar Christians too are said to have vacated the place. Heavy police have been posted and a hunt has begun to nab the offenders. Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy, along with Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam and District Collector Brajendra Navnit, visited the spot and called on the injured at the hospital. Mr. Ponmudy later told reporters that with the consent of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each would be given to the families of the dead and Rs. 20,000 each to the injured. Talks would be held with both the parties to restore peace in the village. Senior police officials are camping in the village.
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