COIMBATORE: The national commission for scheduled castes has issued a notice to the Coimbatore collector seeking explanation on the compound wall constructed in the place of a similar structure that collapsed last year, killing 17 people in Nadur village of Mettupalayam.
The notice, dated December 2, has asked the collector to respond within 15 days on the allegations that the compound wall built around the house was a discriminatory caste wall. On December 2 last year, a 20ft tall compound wall collapsed following incessant rains on tiled roof houses adjacent to it. Seventeen people, all of them dalits, were killed in the accident.
Subsequently, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and other political leaders visited the place amidst allegations that the wall was a sign of caste discrimination. However, the dalits of Nadur village did not say that the wall was built to discriminate against them or to block their movement.
The government also clarified that the wall was built on land owned by an individual. However, the house owner was accused of negligence for failing to build a strong wall and ignoring complaints about the weak structure.
After coming out on bail, the house owner started building a massive compound wall, this time of concrete. A few dalit outfits continued to oppose the wall.
Karl Marx, an activist of Tamil Puligal outfit, sent a complaint to the commission, demanding demolition of the wall, based on which the commission sent the notice. "The commission has decided to investigate the matter. You are hereby requested to submit facts and information and action taken on the allegations within 15 days of the receipt of this notice," the notice said. The commission also warned that it would issue summons to the collector and the superintendent of police to appear in person or by a representative if due reply is not sent.