Disabled Kovai couple caught in Aavin, police tiff

A physically challenged couple’s dreams of moving up in life, by becoming an agent for Aavin failed to materialise as both the district cooperative milk producers’ association (Aavin) and the police have conflicting viewpoints as to the location, where the milk kiosk should be set up. 

K Mariappan and his wife Sandhya, both 33 years old, belong to the Arundhathiyar community and are physically handicapped having lost the use of their legs. Residing at Samathuvapuram in Vellakinar, the duo made a living by stringing wire for chairs. 

Wanting to come up in life, Mariappan applied for the job of milk agent by the Coimbatore district Aavin office, and was given the job as well. He was asked in December 2015 to put up a kiosk near the City Corporation’s Birth and Death Registry Office in the Race Course area. 

However, when he proceeded with setting up the kiosk, the Race Course police raised its objections. The police then issued orders in January that the kiosk should be set up near the State Bank of India branch in the area. When Aavin was informed about this, the officials told Mariappan that he should operate only from the area demarcated by them. The police stood by its demands as well. 

As a result, Mariappan’s milk kiosk was removed. “I do not know where they have put my booth. The Race Course inspector hurled abuses at me. He threatened me saying he wouldn’t allow me to set up the booth anywhere here,” Mariappan alleged. 

SA Ponnusamy, state president of the TN Milk agents and Employees Welfare Association said the association would provide Mariappan with all possible legal aid and resources to help him tide over the crisis. 

When contacted, TR Amalraj, the Coimbatore Police Commissioner clarified that it was only the City Corporation or the police that could provide permits for the location of a certain business enterprise.