Residents and cadres of the Untouchability Eradication Front, affiliated with the CPI(M), protested in front of taluk office in Vandavasi town in Tiruvannamalai on Friday, demanding action against those responsible for damaging crops cultivated by Scheduled Caste (SC) farmers, on seven acres of panchami land in Arungunam village panchayat near the town.

Residents said that despite the incident that had happened a few weeks ago, no action has been taken by revenue officials and police on the issue. “Affected farmers in the incident were unable to recover from their crop loss. Those responsible for the crop damage should be held by revenue authorities and police to instill confidence among marginalised sections in the society,” said G. Hari, a resident.

The protest comes in the wake of a group of caste Hindu residents, led by K. Harshavarthini, who owned the land earlier, allegedly sprayed herbicide using drones and destroyed crops raised by Dalit farmers on February 11.

Revenue officials said that originally, the panchami land belonged to S. Chinnathambi, grandfather of Mr. Sukumar, one of the complainants, many years ago. Subsequently, the land changed hands to three persons, who belong to caste Hindus in the village. Finally, the land was purchased by N. Karunakaran, a caste Hindu. Karunakaran transferred the property to his wife Harshavarthini, who was allegedly involved in the issue, before he died a few years ago.

Later, revenue officials found the land was classified as Depressed Class (DC) land, also known as Panchami land, by the British to help them socially and economically. Subsequently, the land was transferred to Dalits. It allegedly angered a group of caste Hindus in the village.

Tiruvannamalai Collector K. Tharpagaraj directed Cheyyar Sub-Collector Pallavi Varma to conduct an inquiry and submit a report on it. Revenue officials said the inquiry is still in progress.

Based on alert, police and revenue officials reached the protest spot and pacified agitated residents and CPI(M) cadres, who dispersed peacefully after assurance that action will be taken soon.