Scars of jallikattu violence still fresh in Nadukuppam

The fish market that was razed during the unrest is being replaced by a new structure that is under construction. However, those who had their homes vandalised and vehicles burnt have not been compensated even after a year.  “We were going about our daily chores when the police started beating down on our doors. 

They kicked down the doors which we had shut due to the ruckus,” recalled Rajathi, a 66-year-old resident, showing the broken window panes, the holes on which have been covered with cardboard.     

On that day, said her daughter-inlaw, Vennila, the fear was palpable among the residents of Nadukuppam when stone-pelting and rioting took place in their locality and surrounding areas of Avvai Shanmugam Salai, Ruthrapuram, Meenambal Puram, Hanumanthapuram and Munuswamy Nagar.  “We were not even compensated, as all the aid has been directed to the fisherfolk of Nadukuppam. 

What about people like us who suffered?” asked Rajathi. Ravi, a fisherman, said his bike was gutted when the fish market was set ablaze. Also destroyed in the violence was Anandhi Senthil’s pushcart on which she sold idlis and bajjis near the beach. “I had been running this cart for four years. After it was destroyed, I have no place to put my stall,” she rued.