Dalit family beaten up by neighbour for bursting crackers, police not taking action despite complaint

PALAKKAD: A complaint has been lodged with the Vadakancherry police that a Dalit family was beaten up by a neighbour for bursting firecrackers on Diwali. Manikandan and his mother, from Anchumoorthimangalam in Palakkad, were injured. The family alleged that after the incident, they filed a complaint but no action was taken. The complaint also states that the mother was kicked on her chest.

The incident took place on October 23, the eve of Diwali, while bursting firecrackers. Manikandan's neighbour Rahmatullah and his son came and questioned why they were bursting firecrackers and pushed down Manikandan. They also allegedly kicked the mother on her chest. The complainants also say that he was insulted by caste names. Manikandan said that he had a feeling that the attackers were drunk. He has filed a complaint with the Chief Minister as the police were not ready to file a case despite the complaint. Manikandan said that he is hoping that the Chief Minister will intervene.