Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (KD)

Udupi, Apr 5: ‘Shoshitara Swabhimana Samavesha’ a conference for boosting the self-respect and morale of the underprivileged will be organized by the state Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) here on Sunday April 6.

The main aim of the conference will be to focus on the problems faced by Dalits particularly from 13 villages of the district, especially those who have been badly affected both due to Naxalite activities and police high-handedness. The meeting will also aim at being a medium to facilitate interaction between the authorities and aggrieved people.

Speaking to media persons here chief convener of the district unit of DSS Sundar Gujjarbettu brought to the notice of the media that people of 13 villages near Hebri were caught unwittingly between the Naxalites and police. He informed that nearly 25 cases have been booked so far, against people in these villages for allegedly supporting the naxalites while fifteen young men had left their homes owing to harassment by the police.  

Gujarbettu clarified, 'We do not support nor do we believe in the Naxal ideology. We in fact believe in democratic means of protest. However, we strictly oppose the harassment meted out to our people by the police.' He further revealed that Naxalites were able to exploit the sentiments of Dalits in Meggade and Kabinale villages for not giving them the title deeds of their house, although they had lived there for 30 years. In this context he lamented, 'It is indeed very sad that other people were given title deeds of such lands.'   

At the conference deputy commissioner P Hemalatha and superintendent of police Devajyothi Roy will be participating.