Unfortunate that communities fighting one another despite backwardness: Madras HC

Chennai: The Madras High Court on Wednesday observed that it was unfortunate to note that communities, despite their socio-backwardness, are fighting among themselves rather than seek education and empowerment. [caption id=“attachment_2122635” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. IBNLive[/caption] The bench made this observation while referring to the dispute between members of Scheduled Caste and Vanniyar communities over an incident at Kolliruppu village in Cuddalore district on 26 November last year, when seven huts of Dalits were set on fire, allegedly by a group of Vanniyars. “What is unfortunate to note is that despite the socio-economic backwardness, communities are fighting among themselves, rather than seeking their education and empowerment.” An advocate Ashok Kumar had filed a PIL, seeking several rehabilitation measures to the affected and for compensation to a seriously injured man. Earlier when the PIL came up before the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice MM Sundresh, it had directed Government Pleader STS Moorthy to file a counter affidavit on relief and rehabilitation measures taken and file a status report. When the matter came up on 23 February, the Cuddalore District Collector in his report, stated among other things that temporary shelters had been arranged for the affected, food was provided for 10 days from the date of incidence, action was being taken to issue voter ID and ration cards burnt in the fire. The bench expressed hope that the authorities would act promptly and suggested that the remaining action be taken for rehabilitation and closed the matter. PTI