Tirunelveli District Police in Tamil Nadu Heightened Security Amid Rising Caste Tensions
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Chennai, Dec 23 (NationPress) The police force in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu is currently under heightened alert due to increased caste-related tensions emerging on social media platforms following the murder of S. Mayandi close to the district court on December 20.
Superintendent of Police (SP) N. Silambarasan has issued a clear warning against those propagating hate-filled posts online, underlining the critical importance of preserving communal harmony.
In his statement, the SP remarked, “In light of the murder near the Tirunelveli District Court, there has been a surge in social media posts intended to incite social discord. We will enforce strict measures against individuals responsible for these activities.”
So far, the Tirunelveli Taluk police have filed three cases and have formed specialized teams to capture those accountable for the inflammatory posts.
The region has a history of caste-related offenses, with this year alone reporting 27 similar incidents, all resulting in arrests. In total, 49 such cases were logged in 2023. The police are actively working to mitigate caste glorification in public areas.
Private transport services have been instructed to refrain from playing caste-centric songs that elevate one group while belittling others. In previous years, especially from 2005 to 2015, such songs were frequently heard in buses, fostering caste pride and escalating tensions.
Subramanian, a software engineer from Chennai with roots in Tirunelveli, stated, “During our school years, private buses would often play tunes that lauded one caste and vilified others. This was detrimental, as people from various castes traveled together. The police’s move to ban such practices is truly praiseworthy.”
Historically, southern Tamil Nadu, encompassing districts like Tirunelveli, Theni, Dindigul, and Madurai, has struggled with caste-induced violence.
A few years back, the region experienced a series of horrific caste-related murders, including four beheadings in Tirunelveli and Dindigul over just two days. In response, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin vowed to implement stringent measures against caste violence. The then-Director General of Police, C. Sylendra Babu, was stationed in the affected areas, urging officials to oversee shops and businesses selling sharp objects and potential weapons, enforcing that these items be sold solely to verified individuals with a customer registry.
The police have been active in seizing dangerous weapons, including firearms, and detaining those involved.
Plans are underway to initiate mixed-community events aimed at promoting unity among different caste groups within the district.
Furthermore, educational programs in schools are being contemplated to deter caste violence and encourage social harmony.
The influence of caste in the political and social landscape of Tamil Nadu remains substantial, yet the rising occurrences of extreme violence—such as beheadings and public displays of severed heads—have sparked widespread outrage.
The Tirunelveli district police reaffirm their commitment to maintaining peace and alleviating caste tensions through ongoing vigilance and community engagement initiatives, as stated by the officials.
