The Hindu : Front Page : Protesting villagers return home after week-long stay in a temple

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Friday, Oct 03, 2008
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Protesting villagers return home after week-long stay in a temple

S. Sundar

Kakkivadanpatti residents have been living at a temple in a neighbouring village

They have been demanding right to worship in a temple
Officials promise to hold talks next week

SIVAKASI: After seven days of protest living at a temple in a neighbouring village and two days of relay hunger strike, villagers of Kakkivadanpatti near here returned home on Thursday.

The Sivakasi Revenue Divisional Officer, B. Ganesan, and the Sivakasi Tahsildar, A. Ramasamy, held talks with representatives of the protestors and promised to fulfil their charter of demands on merit.

Over 300 people belonging to six castes deserted their houses on September 25 protesting against the alleged “denial of right to worship” at Kaliamman temple and took refuge in another temple in Uppupatti.

The officials opened the temple that was locked following dispute between the six-caste group with people of another caste.

Relay hunger strike

However, the protestors began a relay hunger strike on Tuesday seeking patta for the temple that was located on a poromboke land.

Though the officials refused to give in on the patta issue, they asked the protestors to return home so that talks could be held to resolve other issues, Mr. Ramasamy said.

Remove the fence

The people, who started for home at around 11.30 a.m., have demanded the removal of the fence around an ‘oorani’ at Kakkivadanpatti.

On their demand to take over administration of the Kaliamman temple, the officials promised to hold talks with both the groups next week to find out a solution. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, R. Rajagopal, was present.

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