Minister for Medical and Health Kondru Muralimohan on Sunday said that the State government was keen on distribution of land to the Dalits of Lakshmipet of Vangara mandal and a crucial meeting chaired by Chief Secretary will be held in Hyderabad in a couple of days to discuss the issue. He consoled scheduled caste families of Lakshmipet where five Dalits were massacred by a dominant community on June 12, 2012 as both the groups fought for the rights over the lands originally alienated for the construction of Madduvalasa reservoir.
The Minister’s visit assumed significance as Dalit associations alleged that the government had failed to resolve the land dispute even after one year despite the concrete assurance from the government to downtrodden families of the village.
On behalf of the Ambedkar Foundation of New Delhi, Mr. Murali distributed cheques each of worth Rs.5 lakh to Dalit families which lost their breadwinners in the brutal incident.
“The government will purchase lands if it is not possible to distribute lands of Madduvalasa reservoir. All the Dalit families will get more benefits after the meeting in Hyderabad,” he added.
Palakonda Revenue Divisional Officer Balivada Dayanidhi told media persons that the government had already paid Rs.22.8 lakh as compensation to the 19 persons who injured in the ghastly incident.
He said that many developmental works and other welfare schemes being implemented to create permanent income sources to 88 families of the village.
According to sources, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy has reportedly directed Srikakulam District Collector Saurabh Gaur to instil confidence among the Dalit families while protecting the rights of other sections of the society. The Collector narrated him about the various welfare measures being taken up in Lakshmipet village. A special court is likely to function very soon in the village to prosecute around 80 accused persons in the case.
