Intercaste couple enters Tamil Nadu village, a decade after being barred

The couple was ousted by the villagers because of a different caste. They were not allowed to enter the village nor were allowed to use the same drinking water tap.

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Chennai: Parameshwaran and Umavathi, two labourers from Therkoorai village of Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district, fell in love and decided to get married around 10 years ago. However, the parents of Parameshwaran did not accept the marriage since the girl belonged to a different caste. However, this did not deter the couple as they decided to go ahead after Umavathi's family supported them.

After the couple got married, they were ousted by the villagers for the last 10 years. Neither, they were allowed to visit the village temple nor were they allowed to use the drinking water tap in the village. They were residing at the border of the village.

Both of them decided to settle at the land which belonged to Ummavathi's mother in the village. However, the villagers cut off the way by putting bushes and thrones. The duo resided at the village for many years until they finally decided to move back to their village, they were barred from entering for almost 10 years. 

The couple filed a complaint in the nearest police station and the issue went up to the revenue department.

A team led by Thasildhar Parameshwaran, along with the administrative officers of the village, went to the village on Wednesday and conducted a meeting between the two parties. "We have come here after the directions of the collector. The issue has been resolved, we have cleared the way for them to get back to their land and we will issue the documents soon," Parameshwaran was quoted by News18.

The administrative officials warned both parties not to disturb the couple after this.

The couple, who are also parents to a 9-year-old child, has thanked the officials for solving the decade-long matter.