Title - Dalit woman alleges assault by RPF men near Salem junction

SALEM:A Dalit woman from Andhra Pradesh alleged that Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel assaulted her near Salem Railway Junction two days ago.Jayamma (30) and her husband Paiyanna from Narpallam in Anandpur district in Andhra Pradesh had migrated to Salem a few years ago to earn a livelihood. They stayed in a make-shift tent near the Railway Goods yard at the Salem Railway Junction to manufacture and sell bamboo baskets.According to her, on April 3, three policemen from RPF including an Inspector and an Assistant Sub Inspector asked them to vacate the premises immediately. When Jayamma pleaded with them, the officials reportedly assaulted her.Jayamma was admitted to the Salem Government Medical College Hospital while her husband was treated as an out-patient.Paiyanna submitted a petition to Collector K. Maharabushanam urging him to take action against the three RPF policemen.

Probe sought:Condemning the incident, Ambedkar Makkal Iyakkam, Salem district secretary, A. Annadurai demanded a detailed probe into the incident and action against the personnel involved.“The issue has been taken to the notice of Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division,” he said.