Vengaivayal: Non-dalits announce poll boycott

Pudukottai: Tensions surrounding the 2022 Vengaivayal water contamination case have resurfaced, with residents of Erayur village in Muttukadu panchayat announcing they will boycott the upcoming election. Non-dalit Hindus of the village erected flex banners in this regard on Friday night.It may be recalled that human waste was found mixed in an overhead water tank supplying water to the dalit village, triggering outrage across the state. Subsequently, CB-CID registered a case alleging involvement of three Vengaivayal residents, ruling out a caste motive. They said it was done due to personal enmity. However, villagers have strongly opposed the charges, claiming innocence and alleging that people from neighbouring Erayur and Muttukadu areas could be responsible. The differing claims have since led to repeated friction between residents of the two villages.In their banners erected on Friday night, Erayur villagers listed several demands, including arrest of the actual culprits in the case, withdrawal of cases filed against them under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and other civic issues. Revenue and police officials have begun inquiries into the banner protest. Sources said residents of Vengaivayal have also indicated they may boycott the upcoming polls.