Outsiders instigating communal strife: Michaelpatti villagers

The villagers, led by the retired headmaster J Gurumurthy came to the Collectorate and submitted a petition with Collector Dinesh Ponraj Oliver in which they stated that there are more than 800 families belonging to all religions, including Hindus, Christians and Muslims living in the village maintaining communal harmony.

While there are more than 60 per cent Hindu students studying in the particular school and many of them have been staying in the hostel run by the school. “So far, we have not come across any religious conversion incident nor there was a campaign for conversion. But, the recent suicide of the Class 12 girl had been distorted and a few organisations have taken advantage of this,” the statement read. They urged the Collector to initiate action against those who attempt to mar the communal harmony in the village. “Since a sensitive situation prevails in our village, we appeal to give us police protection,” Gurumurthy said.