Madras breathes easy as dalit rally ends peacefully

Wednesday, the Madras city witnessed a huge dalit procession being taken out from Vallavarkottam to the Raj Bhavan, under the biggest-ever security cover there.

The dalits were protesting the atrocities against them in the state's southern districts, as also the government's alleged repression of their rights.

Fortunately, and contrary to the authorities' fear, the rally ended without any untoward incident.

The procession, led by Devendrakula Vellalar Federation president and legislator Dr K Krishnasamy, met Governor Fathima Beevi and submitted a memorandum.

The dalit activists hailed Drs Babasaheb Ambedkar and Krishnasamy. They condemned Chief Minister M Karunanidhi with slogans.

Steel-helmeted commandos of the Rapid Action Force, backed by the riot police, accompanied the procession all the way to the governor's office.

Tuesday, the state government had taken a large number of activists into preventive custody. It had reinforced its police force with battalions from Andhra Pradesh.

The Madras high court had also imposed stringent conditions on the rallyists, including a ban on carrying arms or instruments which could be used as weapons.

All shops, establishments and restaurants along the procession route remained closed for the day.

UNI