CHENNAI: Dalit residents of Kathirvedu village in Puzhal have alleged that their houses were demolished and their lands grabbed by a DMK functionary in 2007. Living in rented houses since then, the residents have now pinned their hopes on Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Residents of Indira Nagar and JJ Nagar claimed that about 73 Dalit families had been living on 3.6 acres of ‘poromboke’ land for over 16 years. In 2005, the residents had petitioned the Tiruvallur Collector to provide them basic amenities, including drinking water supply and roads, and the same were provided in 2006. Later, the residents also requested ‘pattas’ and electricity supply to their area. In the meantime, a DMK functionary, who claimed himself to be the personal assistant of a DMK leader who held an important position in the previous government, reportedly threatened them to vacate the place as the leader wanted the land. He had also told the residents that they would be given another land and Rs 50,000 for each family for constructing a house. After giving them two days time to vacate, the DMK man demolished their houses with the help of goons, the residents alleged, adding that a few of them were given only Rs 20,000, while the rest were chased away. “He is now using that land to park 30 lorries and is taking rent for it. He has also constructed a compound wall around the land,” said E Pazhaniammal, one of the residents and president of Senthamarai Women Self-Help Group, Kathirvedu.The residents had since then been living in rented houses. “We now hope the CM will help us get back the land and take action against the DMK man,” she added.
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