'Distribute land to landless Dalits'

Dalit leaders to participate in the protest meet to be held today

'Distribute land to landless Dalits'

N R Pura, August 1, DHNS:

The day and night protest, which was started by the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti in front of the Tahislidar's Office in N R Pura continued on Sunday.

The Samiti members demand that all encroached land belonging to Dalits should be reclaimed and land should be distributed to landless Dalits. Speaking to Deccan Herald, DSS District Organising Convener Vasantha Kumar said that 12 acres out of 49 acres of land bearing survey number 19 in Balekoppa village in the taluk was sanctioned for Pourakarmikas in 1984. The Samiti has no intention of vacating those Pourakarmikas from the land. Instead, let the authorities distribute the remaining land to Dalits, he added. The ‘Akrama - Sakrama’ scheme under Form 50-53 came into existence in 1991. Those Pourakarmikas were cultivating the land even before 1991. However, the MLA is providing erroneous information regarding the issue, he alleged. The day and night protest has no political backing. The downtrodden section of the society have become scapegoats due to the fight between political parties. Though Dalits are holding day and night protest, none of the people’s representatives or political leaders visited the spot atleast for the sake of formality, he lamented. Protest meet today Kumar said that a protest meet will be organised in front of the Taluk Office on August 2. A protest rally will commence from Bastimata. Dalit leaders from all taluks in the district and from the State committee will participate in the protest. The day and night protest will continue till Deputy Commissioner visit the spot to listen their grievance, he added. Alternative land “Alternative land with all facilities will be provided to Dalits, if the DSS come forward for a dialogue after stopping the protest,” said MLA D N Jeevaraj. Addressing a press conference, Jeevaraj alleged that a JD(S) leader, who was a Zilla Panchayat member from Janatha Party in 1984, was responsible for the issue. “The land in Balekoppa village, where poor families were residing even before 1984, was sanctioned for Pourakarmikas without considering the facts. It is ironic that the JD(S) leaders, who created the problem themselves are supporting the protestors,” he added. Those 22 poor families, who were settled in Balekoppa village, will not be vacated from their land at any cost. Those families have already submitted Forms 50-53 under Akrama - Sakrama scheme, he added. The Revenue Department as well as the Survey Department have submitted reports to the government stating that Pourakarmikas are not residing in the land. Moreover, there is no boundary marks with regard to land sanctioned to Dalits, he said. “Though six Pourakarmika families had agreed to accept alternative land, JD(S) is trying to misguide Dalits. Alternative land and all basic facilities will be provided to Dalits, if they put an end to their protest. Cases under Section 107 of IPC were registered in view of law and order situation and there is no other intention in it. JD(S) will be responsible if any untoward incident takes place,” Jeevaraj asserted.