Protest against alleged attacks on Dalits in Ganjam district

A joint demonstration against alleged caste-based atrocities and attacks on Dalits at Panchabhuti village under Jagananthprasad police station in Ganjam district was held in front of office of Revenue Divisional Commissioner, southern division in Berhampur on Thursday.

The demonstration had been organised by Odisha Dalit Adhikar Manch and CPI-ML (Red Star).

Leaders of various other organisations like Ganjam district secretary of CPI (M) Kailash Sarangi also attended the demonstration to express solidarity on the issue. A memorandum was handed over to the RDC demanding adequate security and relief to the Dalit families of Panchabhuti, who are continuously facing atrocities at the hands of upper castes.

Sankar Sahu of CPI-ML (Red Star) and Bhikari Nayak of ODAM alleged that as the upper caste elements of Panchabhuti village have links with leaders of the ruling BJD, police and administration have not taken adequate action against them.

Sarpanch yet to be arrested

They alleged that the local sarpanch of Panchabhuti was directly involved in attacks on Dalit families.

He has not been arrested yet.

Mr Sahu and Mr Nayak also alleged that intervention of Minister Bikram Arukh had made the police silent about the Panchabhuti issue.

Houses gutted in fire

On May 10, around 20 houses of Dalit families of Panchabhuti were gutted in a fire. As per the victims, on the same day, a group of upper caste miscreants threatened them and told them to lift cases lodged against upper castes.

The Dalit families were threatened of dire consequences and the arson took place on that night.

Forty six Dalit families of the village are facing caste based atrocities. Tussle over use of portions of village pond by Dalit families had led to violence at Panchabhuti on March 24.

Houses of Dalits had been ransacked allegedly by upper caste mob led by the local sarpanch and husband of the nayab sarpanch. ODAM had come out in support of the Dalit victims.

Fact-finding team

A joint fact finding team of social activists had visited the village on May 9 to make on the spot enquiry into the allegations of atrocities on dalits.

s per this fact finding team, caste-based superstitions and continuing tradition of untouchability was the reason behind atrocities against the Dalits oft Panchabhuti.