Outfit seeks arrest of prime accused in dalit murder case

Madurai: The Dalit Unity Federation staged a picketing at the Madurai district collectorate on Monday, demanding the immediate arrest of the prime accused in the murder of a 34-year-old dalit man from Avaniyapuram.The federation members submitted a petition to Madurai collector Nishant Krishna, seeking the arrest of one of the main accused in the case. Balaji was hacked to death on Friday following a dispute that reportedly broke out during a temple festival held earlier last week at Avaniyapuram near Madurai. Police said the incident was linked to a quarrel during the Veerakaliyamman Temple festival on June 12, when Sanjay Ramasamy allegedly misbehaved with girls.

When Balaji questioned him, an argument broke out, leading to hostility between the two groups.On Friday around 2.30pm, Sanjay, along with five others, allegedly chased and attacked Balaji and his friend Raja Hussain with swords. While Raja Hussain escaped with minor injuries, Balaji suffered multiple head injuries and died on the spot. Raja Hussain is undergoing treatment at Government Rajaji Hospital.Earlier on Saturday, Balaji’s family staged a sit-in protest at the collectorate, demanding the arrest of the accused. The protest was withdrawn after police assured them of action.