While informal consultations are on between caste Hindus and Dalits of Kallimedu to break the deadlock over allowing the latter to host mandagapadi at Sri Badrakaliamman temple festival, Collector S. Palanisamy said he would convene a tripartite meeting immediately if both parties expressed willingness to hold another round of negotiation.

Explaining the reasons for clamping a ban on the annual Aadi festival of the temple scheduled to begin on August 8, Mr. Palanisamy told The Hindu on Wednesday that the district administration did not have any other realistic option than enforcing a ban as both the groups had refused to accept the four alternatives suggested by the government.

It appeared that informal discussions were on among residents of Kallimedu. However, no one had approached him after the ban on the festival was announced.

If they come forward to resume the talks, the administration would immediately convene a meeting of all stakeholders.

Mr. Palanisamy said that the district administration was in favour of conducting the festival as scheduled. However, it would depend upon the villagers’ decision. A solution could be arrived at if both the parties accepted at least one of the four alternatives put forth during the talks held on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a large posse of policemen led by R. Pon Karthick Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vedaranyam, has been posted at Kallimedu and Pazhag Kallimedu . A senior police officer said the situation was calm in the village.

However, pickets have been posted in a few places as a precautionary measure.