Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

Dalit group agitates for `activation' of panel

By Our Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR JULY 16. The district unit of the Kulavivaksha Vyathireka Porata Samithi staged a dharna in front of the Collectorate here today, demanding appointment of chairman and members to the newly constituted SC, ST Commission at the State-level.

Address the protesters, the samithi leaders -- Veeranna, Venkatesh, Obulesu and Gangadhar -- said that the State Government had set up the Commission on July 7 following a prolonged struggle by and on the recommendation of the Justice Punnaiah Commission on untouchability and discrimination in the name of caste.

They suggested that the Government undertake a campaign against untouchability and discrimination in the name of caste for a fortnight all over the State. They also demanded completion of probe into cases of atrocities and attacks on Dalits and tribals and punish the culprits within six months.

Our Cuddapah Staff Reporter writes: The samithi president, D.C. Venkataiah, the vice-president, B. Narayana, the general secretary, C. Babu, and members -- S. Sudhakar and K. Srinivasulu Reddy -- lamented that atrocities were being perpetrated against Dalits in 165 villages in the State since February and 18 Dalits were murdered and 20 Dalit women were raped. Despite the growing atrocities, the implementation of the Atrocities on SCs/STs (Prevention) Act was tardy due to the collusion of police with upper caste landlords, they alleged.

The Government's inept attitude and non-implementation of the Justice Punnaiah Commission's 42 recommendations were increasing social imbalances, they charged. Stating that the Government set up the State SC/ST Commission two months ago, they demanded expeditious appointment of chairman and members to it.

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