Annur Otteripalayam VAO and Assistant suspended for caste-based false allegations against farmer

In Annur Otteripalayam incident, VAO and Assistant suspended for caste-based false allegations against farmer, following investigation


Coimbatore:In the infamous Annur Otteripalayam incident, the Village Administration Officer (VAO) Kalaiselvi and her Assistant Muthusamy were suspended for caste-based false allegations against farmer Gopalsamy, after investigation.

A video footage was first released of VAO Assistant Muthusamy allegedly apologising and prostrating at the feet of farmer Gopalsamy who was reportedly from a higher caste at Annur Otteripalayam in Coimbatore district. Coimbatore District Collector Sameeran ordered an inquiry into the incident after the video went viral on social media that the VAO Assistant had been forced to fall at the feet of Gopalsamy, owing to a caste-based squabble.

The investigation into the incident was led by District Revenue Officer, Leila Alex. Meanwhile, the farmer Gopalsamy had lodged a complaint at the Annur police station that he had been assaulted by the VAO's Assistant, Muthusamy.

After a thorough enquiry with farmer Gopalsamy, VAO Kalaiselvi and VAO's Assistant Muthusamy, the District Revenue Officer ,Leila Alex reported to the District Collector that there was no evidence that the VAO's Assistant Muthusamy had attacked farmer Gopalsamy but there was evidence that he had fallen at the feet of farmer Gopalsamy. Based on this report, the District Collector ordered action to be taken against farmer Gopalsamy and two cases were registered against farmer Gopalsamy under the Prevention of Violence Act with both Muthusamy and Kalaiselvi alleging that Gopalsamy had prevented Government employees from fulfilling their duties.

Later, a video footage was released of Muthusamy beating up farmer Gopalsamy. Following this, the farmers' unions demanded a full investigation and a repeal of the case. District Collector Sameeran has now ordered departmental action against Annur Otteripalayam VAO Kalaiselvi and her Assistant Muthusamy after another investigation by the District Revenue Officer for caste-based false allegations against farmer Gopalsamy.

Following this, Coimbatore North Tahsildar Ravichandran suspended VAO Kalaiselvi. Similarly, Annur Tahsildar Rathinam suspended VAO's Assistant Muthusamy. Annur police are planning to take criminal action against the two. Annur police are also on the hunt to investigate the person who recorded the incident on his cell phone at the Otteripalayam village administration office and posted it on social media with the intent to cause social unrest in the district.

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