Police not doing enough to instill confidence among Dalits'

Mangalore, June 24: In spite of three swords being found in a Dalit colony in Chommugudde near Ullal, the police have not done enough to instill confidence among Dalits to ensure their safety, alleged Girish Kumar, a Dalit representative at the monthly SC/ST grievance meet held at the Police Commissioner's office in the city on Sunday.

“Three swords were found in the area and we suspect that a group of youngsters is planning to kill some of our people. We informed the matter to the police with names of people who are seen loitering around the streets in the area after 10 pm. One of them has had a case of Dalit atrocity registered against him in the past as well. But in spite of our appeals, the police have not taken them to task”, Mr. Kumar alleged.

Responding to the allegation, T R Jagannath, ACP, said that the police have already summoned the concerned people and conducted an enquiry. A close watch is being kept on them, he said, adding that Ullal and its surrounding areas have been tightly monitored of late. “If you see in the recent past, no cases of 'rowdism' and 'dadagiri' have taken place in Ullal police station limits. Our patrolling is so strong that within 60-90 seconds our constables are able to approach a particular place. Chommugudde being a noted area, tight vigil has always been deployed there”, he said.

Another representative of the Dalit community raised the issue of the amendment to rules pertaining to the SC/ST land. An order from the local officials that about 11 and a half acres of land of SC/STs in Sunkadakattte, Derebail, is saleable has created confusion, he said. It is being done to facilitate apartment builders to occupy these Dalit lands, another Dalit representative told Coastaldigest.com.

Among the other issues raised in the meet included action against Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy for using the word 'Dhikka' in one of their cultural programmes held in the city recently. The programme was telecasted live in local TV channels and usage of the word in the programme was uncalled for as it has insulted Dalits, a Dalit representative said.

Guard of honour

Prior to the meet, a guard of honour was given to Radhakrishna, Head Constable, City Armed Reserves, who died yesterday due to ill health.

Mr. Radhakrishna was 56 years old. Owing to ill-health, he was admitted to AJ Hospital where he breathed his last yesterday.