Dalits seek protection from rising atrocities

Berhampur: Several Scheduled Caste (SC) people in Ganjam district on Monday took out a rally here demanding protection from atrocities.
Under the banner of Ganjam District Dalit Samanwaya Samiti, the dalit people demanded immediate action against the people, who attacked the dalits at Kamagada village under Aska police limits on May 3.
At least 16 houses belonging to the SC people were destroyed by the miscreants in the clash occurred in the village.While 11 houses were set afire, other five houses were destroyed, the samiti alleged.
"We had earlier submitted a memorandum to the revenue divisional commissioner, southern division, demanding rehabilitation of the victims and arrest of the accused. While over two months have passed since the incident, the culprits are yet to be arrested. Similarly the victims are still to be rehabilitated, said Rabi Nayak, one of the victims.
Kamagada is not an isolated case. The atrocities on dalits were reported from different parts of the district. "We demand action against the culprits soon," said Anil Kumar Nayak, convener of the samiti. He also opposed the eviction of the slum dwellers in Berhampur by the Berhampur Municipal Corporation without proper rehabilitation.
The samiti leaders submitted a memorandum containing their demands to the revenue divisional commissioner, southern division, here.