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DPI to organise seminars against NSA, Goondas Act

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI JUNE 8. The Dalit Panthers of India will organise all-party seminars demanding immediate withdrawal of the Goondas' Act and the National Security Act.

The general secretary, R. Tirumavalavan, talking to newsmen here today, alleged that the acts were being misused by the State Government and the police machinery to detain Dalits and minorities and nearly 70 per cent of the detainees were either Dalits or minorities.

Mr. Tirumavalavan charged whichever party was in power the acts came in handy for it to arrest Dalits and minorities.

In a particular village at Kancheepuram, 38 Dalit youths belonging to a local colony were detained under the Goondas Act.

As the party wanted to create a public opinion against the acts, it decided to conduct a seminar in Chennai on June 25 followed by regional seminars at Dharmapuri (July 7), Villupuram (July 13), Tirunelveli (July 23), and Tiruvarur (August 2). Invitations were being sent to political parties, excepting the AIADMK, the BJP and the PMK.

Meanwhile, the party had formed a five-member committee under his chairmanship, to explain the Chief Minister how the acts were being ``misused'' by the police.

Criticising the Congress and the BJP for their initiative for reservation for the economically poor, he said it was against social justice.

While he was for giving additional marks for candidates belonging to poor sections of forward communities, he was against any separate quota.

Condemning the State Government's decision to withdraw free and concessional bus passes to students, he warned that it would lead to heavy dropout of students.

The concession should be given to students, irrespective of their economic status as it would encourage parents to send their wards to schools.

The party executive which met here on Saturday, passed resolutions demanding inclusion of Dalit Christians in the MBC list and restoration of reservation for children of Tamil scholars in professional courses.

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