Chennai, Nov 26 : , Some Irula tribes complained that Loganathan in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, a local DMK functionary, threatened them with dire consequences if the tribals stayed in a temple because of the threat of heavy rainfall.They had previously lived in makeshift shanties. Balakrishnan (23), a man of the Irula tribe, his wife Kavitha, their three-month old baby and ten others were living in makeshift shanties in Pappankuzhi at Sriperumbudur in Kancheepuram for the past ten years.They moved to the godown of a municipal trash segregation center when it rained heavily.
They moved to a temple 500m from the municipal centre because mosquitoes were a problem.
This caused trouble and Loganathan, a local DMK official, threatened them with a machete.
He also brought a few people with him and threatened to burn them alive.
Balakrishnan said to media, “He came into the temple and told me that it wasn’t meant for lowly people like me and threatened that if we didn’t follow his orders, we would be burned alive in a godown.”
Although the Irula tribes have filed a complaint to the Sunguvarchatram police station, the police have yet to register a case.
Kancheepuram Superintendent for Police Sudhakar stated to mediapersons that he was conducting an investigation and would take the necessary actions based on it.
Balakrishnan said that he and his family are having difficulty living in the open.Even defecation can be difficult for women in open because men will need to guard them from other misbehaving.
Irula tribes want a house and Aadhaar cards to get all the benefits.
Loganathan, a DMK functionary, was not available for comment.
However, the DMK stated that it does not support Loganathan’s views and will take strict action against him.
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