Background:

Murugmmal is a Dalit women panchayat president. She was elected to this panchayat for the 1^st time. In her panchayat, a dominant caste person jayaraman, encroached the common land of Panchayat which is a pathway near the Dalit colony. The path is used by all the people of panchayat. The same was improved as proper road under NREGA scheme in 2009 -10.

Some of the Findings:

1. The president is facing caste discrimination by the dominant naidu community, even though the other dominant community is not so discriminatory.
2. This land is improved under NREGA in 2009-10. But the Jairam naidu, demolished the road using JCP machines and encroached.
3. Halt of the village people supports the panchayat president in this issue
4. Agriculture is the main occupation of the village people.
5. People used this road to carry agricultural products for selling in nearby places particularly in Thiruthani markets.
6. Now, since the path is encroached, they have to travel a long distance to go to Thiruthani.
7. The panchayat president discussed this issue in the council meeting and also in Gram Sabha. Resolutions were fussed.
8. She has filed litigation against the encroachment and got a favourable judgement ordering Jayaram naidu to the panchayat.
9. Government officials who are from dominant caste, supports the encroacher or rather not helping the panchayat president in retrieving the land.
10. Jairam naidu is planning to appeal in the Supreme Court.