 The next day, witnesses in the case did not step out for work fearing backlash of the verdict.In December 2012 approximately 268 dwellings – huts, tiled-roof and one or two-room concrete houses of Dalits of the Adi Dravida community near Naikkankottai in Dharmapuri district of western Tamil Nadu were torched by the higher-caste Vanniyar.The victims have alleged that ‘systematic destruction’ of their properties and livelihood resources has taken place.