Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Mar 1: Leaders of scheduled caste organizations urged the police to stop the illegal construction of Koragajja Gudi at Kankanady on government land by a person of higher caste by using a scheduled caste person.

This matter was raised by SC leader Anil in the monthly grievances meeting of scheduled caste and scheduled tribes, presided over by Hariram Shankar, DCP of law and order, which was held at the office of city police commissioner on Sunday, February 28.

Anil urged the police that the person belonging to higher caste is getting the Koragajja shrine, who is revered by people of scheduled caste, constructed for financial gain and the police should not allow the same.

Responding to the issue of Koragajja Gudi, inspector Pavithra Theja said, "The concerned person has been warned not to carry out any work without getting due permission. If Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) gets it vacated, security will be provided."

Leader Vishwanath said that though the Jyoti Circle is named as Ambedkar Circle it is not used. Ambedkar Circle needs to be constructed there. DCP Hariram Shankar said that the matter does not fall under the purview of the police department and will be relayed to the concerned department.

Leader S P Anand said that self-employment schemes in Ambedkar Corporation are selected through the MLA. Eligible beneficiaries are not getting the benefits of the scheme because of this. He urged that the selection should be done through DC.

The leaders also brought the matter of Babu and Kusuma couple, who are doing the work that needs to be done by six people, at Kurnadu gram panchayat of Bantwal taluk since 12 years. They are not getting any labour benefits. So they should be given the benefits. The DCP said that he will investigate the matter.

DCP Hariram Shankar said that the case of desecrating the offertory boxes of Daivasthanas is difficult to crack as there are no CCTV cameras. Also because the boxes are opened once in a month, the matter comes to light too late. However, he said that the investigation of the cases so far is in progress.

Srinivas urged that anonymous letters against workers belonging to scheduled caste and tribes are being sent to Mescom. Workers are not able to do their work because of this. Police department has to write a letter to the chief of Mescom in this connection.

“CRCL is not responding. Civil Rights Directorate, which should respond to the grievances of scheduled caste and tribes’ people is also not acting. If we submit a complaint they do not acknowledge the same. They try to close the case by calling the opposite party,” he said.

DCP Vinay Gaonkar of crime and traffic and various officers of police departments were present.