Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (TU/CN)

Bantwal, Feb 4: Dalit Seva Samiti on Monday February 2 staged a protest in front of the Virakamba Grama Panchayat alleging deprivation of infrastructural facilities. 

Dalit families residing in Hegdekodi within the panchayat limits alleged that they have no roads, adequate water facility, or electricity connection in their village, though the panchayat has been collecting tax from them without fail. The panchayat administration has not shown any interest in providing infrastructure despite submission of a memorandum several times.

Addressing the demonstrators, Sesappa Bedrakadu, president of the DSS, said that five acres of land and a renovated lake was encroached upon by private persons in Hegdekodi, but the Revenue Department was ignoring the issue. “Dalits will teach a lesson to the politicians during the election if they do not respond to their problems immediately”, he said.

Panchayat president Inthru Mascarenhas approached the protesters and assured them that their demands would be met by May. Meanwhile, demonstrators warned of staging an indefinite strike in case the administration failed to do so.