Families complain of ostracisation in Ramnad

RAMNAD: Twelve families in Meettankulam village complained to Collector Arun Roy on Monday that they have been ostracised by the villagers for asking accounts of donation and collection amounts for the temple near Kamuthi.Meettankulam village near Kamuthi is popular for doorless houses. However,  a group of 12 families have been ostracised by fellow villagers for demanding accounts of the village temple. The 12 families have been ostracised for performing inter-caste marriages and they are not allowed to collect water from the common taps. Other villagers have been instructed not to talk with the members of ostracised families and the shops in village have been told not to sell any essential items to the families.  The opposition group had threatened the families not to live in the village which led to a group clash between the two groups, a few months ago and police had to intervene to bring about temporary peace in the village.The affected family members, having lost their patience, came to the Collectorate on Monday and submitted a petition.Rajagopal of Meettankulam, said that a group from a nearby village in Virudhunagar district, was behind the discrimination. The 12 families were ostracised by the other villagers and were being treated as aliens in their own village.The Collector told Express that their petition was sent to the police for taking necessary action against the offenders.