Mangalore, July 19: Dalit Hakkugala Horata Samiti and Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a protest outside Mangalore City Corporation on Monday condemning the move of the Corporation to level houses of Dalits residing in Mullakadu area to make way for road widening.
“The Dalits being made to give up their land to facilitate road widening at Mullakadu Akash Bhavan is unacceptable. They have been residing in the area for the last 50 years. If they are forced to vacate the land, these families will be on streets. These small land holdings are their only asset,” said CPIM District Committee Member Krishnappa Konchaddy addressing the protesters.
Alleging BJP of not safeguarding the interest of the Dalits, he said that people, in general have been made to run from pillar to post to receive their documents such as ration card or house number.
As many as six families were made to vacate their land as the Nanthoor highway was getting broadened. Only after repeated protests, they have been rehabilitated and houses are being built for them. Now as many as 10 families have been asked to shift from Mullakadu and no rehabilitation assurances have been given to the residents, he said.
Taking away dalits' land in the name of development and putting them to misery is not a joke. Though government has assured crores for the development of Dalits the real picture on how much has been actually spent for Dalits will come to light only after one seeks information under RTI, said Sunil Kumar Bajal.
Receiving the memorandum Joint Commissioner Vijaykumari Shenoy said that MCC has not yet conducted the survey for road widening in Mullakadu area. We shall investigate on who has done the survey, she said.
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