Latest news with #Irular
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- The Hindu
Tribesman injured in elephant attack near Coimbatore
A 65-year-old Irular tribesmen from Maruthangarai Keelpathi settlement near Thadagam suffered injuries after being attacked by a wild elephant near Thadagam in Coimbatore district on Thursday. According to the Forest Department, Maruthan and K. Rajendran, 33, of Maruthangarai Melpathi tribal settlement had a close encounter with a wild elephant, when they were travelling on a two-wheeler from Veerapandi to Maruthangarai on Thursday evening. Mr. Rajendran lost control of the two-wheeler and both of them fell on the ground. While Mr. Rajendran managed to run away, Mr. Maruthan attempted to seek shelter under thorny bushes. However, the elephant attacked Mr. Maruthan, who suffered fractures on his left hand and left leg. He was admitted to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for treatment.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Kin seek fair probe into Irular tribal workers's death in Villupuram
VILLUPURAM: The family of a 28-year-old Irular tribal worker, who allegedly died of electrocution at a private automobile workshop in Villupuram, accepted the body on Wednesday but refused to perform the final rites, demanding a re-autopsy with video documentation and a fair police probe into the incident. The deceased, K Kanniappan, was allegedly electrocuted while using a water gun to clean a motorcycle at the facility on Tuesday night. Employed in the water service section of a private workshop affiliated to TVS Motor Company, Kanniappan had rejoined work last month following a five-month break. According to the bereaved family, the firm attempted to downplay the incident by offering Rs 10,000 as compensation, without taking responsibility for the death or extending support as mandated under labour laws. This enraged the family, who also alleged that the police were initially reluctant to act against the firm. Speaking to TNIE, K Indhu (22), the wife of the deceased, said, 'After we were informed of his death, the body was sent to Mundiyambakkam Government Medical College Hospital. However, instead of a team of doctors, only one doctor conducted the autopsy. We have also submitted a complaint to the police, but no FIR was filed initially.'
New Indian Express
27-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Irular family of 10 rescued from bonded labour in Tamil Nadu's Vikravandi
VILLUPURAM: An Irular tribal family of 10, including four children, was rescued from bonded labour at a private brick kiln in Kalingamalai village near Vikravandi on Tuesday evening. Following the rescue, Villupuram Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Murugesan issued Release Certificates and disbursed financial assistance of Rs 30,000 to each member of the family on Wednesday. According to sources, the National Adivasi Solidarity Council (NASC) had alerted senior officials earlier this week after receiving information about the family's plight. A field-level verification by the council confirmed the presence of bonded labourers at the site. Acting swiftly, the matter was escalated to the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Justice Jaichandran. Subsequently, a coordinated team comprising the RDO, District Labour Welfare Officer, Vikravandi Tahsildar, and personnel from Kandamangalam police station conducted a late-night operation on Tuesday to rescue the family. The team also lodged a complaint with the police against the kiln owner, identified as K Palani. Official sources said the family had borrowed Rs 50,000 from the kiln owner two years ago and had continued working at the kiln despite having repaid the amount through labour. The owner allegedly forced them to remain in bondage, claiming compounded interest had pushed the debt to Rs 1 lakh. Speaking to TNIE, NASC Secretary K Krishnan said, 'We received a tip-off from a source, and it was heartening to witness the swift convergence of various government departments — including the judiciary, revenue, and police — working together to secure the family's release within 24 hours. This shows that if the system truly works for the marginalised, it can bring light into many lives.' The rescued family has since been sent back to their native village in Cuddalore. However, the kiln owner is yet to be remanded, officials said.
New Indian Express
20-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu school principal booked under SC/ST Act
CHENNAI: The Kancheepuram district police on Thursday registered an FIR against the principal of a government girls' higher secondary school in Sriperumbudur under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly criminally intimidating a tribal Irular parent who had approached her seeking a transfer certificate for her daughter. The FIR has been filed against Gnana Selva Jothi, the principal of Sriperumbudur Girls Higher Secondary School, who is currently absconding. The action follows a protest staged a week ago by around 20 Irular community members and social activists outside the school, demanding action against the principal for allegedly using casteist and derogatory language against the parent. According to the FIR, the complainant, S Ragini, first approached the principal on 3 June to obtain a transfer certificate for her daughter studying in Class 7. She alleged that the principal not only refused to issue the TC but also spoke to her in a harsh manner and failed to offer her a seat, despite chairs being available in the office. Ragini was reportedly made to visit the principal again on June 9 and 11. On June 11, the principal allegedly insulted her appearance in the presence of other teachers. The complainant added that another parent, who had met the principal just before her, had been offered a chair, which she claimed highlighted the discriminatory treatment meted out to her. Based on her complaint, Sriperumbudur Inspector S Dharmalingam registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal intimidation and use of obscene language, along with applicable provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Senior police and education department officials, who were present during the earlier protest, had initially defended the principal, denying the use of any casteist language.
New Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Irulars claim govt school principal used derogatory language, stage protest
CHENNAI: Around 30 members of Irular tribal families and some social activists from Sriperumbudur staged a day-long protest demanding action against a government school principal, who allegedly spoke in a derogatory manner with an Irular couple, who had approached her for getting transfer certificate for their girl child studying in the school. The Kancheepuram district police detained the protesters in a local marriage hall and were released at 8.45pm. Ragini and Suresh, the couple, had approached Gnanaselva Jothi, the principal of Sriperumbudur Government Girls Higher Secondary School's principal Gnanaselva Jothi, for the certificate. The family, which lives in an Irular resettlement site in Katrambakkam village, wanted to admit their daughter to a school which was nearer as the current one was 10-15 km away.
