Perumpathu village in Tirunelveli boycotts elections over alleged inaction after brutal caste attack
April 23, 2026: Polling began across Tamil Nadu’s 234 constituencies at 7 AM on Thursday, but Perumpathu village stood out for a stark reason—zero voter turnout. Located in the Nanguneri Assembly constituency of Tirunelveli district, the village saw not a single vote cast hours into polling, as residents collectively boycotted the election despite full arrangements and security deployment.
The boycott stems from anger over the March 2 “Nanguneri Sickle Attack,” a violent incident in which armed assailants allegedly killed two people and injured six others. Victims included a disabled Dalit man and a migrant worker, while several from Other Backward Class communities were also hurt. Residents allege the attack was caste-driven and claim authorities failed to adequately respond or engage with the community after the incident.
Villagers from Backward Class and Scheduled Caste communities say the boycott is a protest against this perceived inaction. Despite electronic voting machines being set up and officials present, polling stations remained deserted. The situation highlights how unresolved social tensions and demands for justice can directly influence democratic participation, even as the rest of the state records active voter turnout.