With Section 144 imposed in 21 villages ended at 6pm on Monday, the district administration is planning to conduct a peace meeting with both the members of the community to end the temple issue.
Vanniyar community members recently renovated Sri Sailagirishwarar temple in Thirumalaigiri village and Sri Varatharaja Perumal temple in Vedukathampatti village and proposed to conduct kumbabishekam on March 4. However, trouble erupted after Dalit community members demanded participation in the kumbabishekam that was opposed by Vanniyar’s. The district administration clamped prohibitory orders from March 2 to March 9 and posted over 1,000 police personnel in the villages to prevent untoward incidents. With the situation under control, the order was not extended.
On Monday, the Collector K. Maharabushanam held discussions with the City Police Commissioner A. Amalraj, Revenue Divisional Officer, Salem, S.H. Sheik Mohideen and other officials. Sources said that the administration is planning to invite representatives from both the community members and conduct a peace meeting at the Collectorate to resolve the issue. If the meeting ends in stalemate, the community members would be asked to approach the court for amicable settlement, the source said.
