DALITS/SCHEDULED CASTES - 2013 - Indian Social Institute

case, 18 were arrested and forwarded to court. The remaining absconding persons are out on bail.Charge-sheets have been filed against all the accused. Asked about Titilagarh SDPO’s role in the case,Superintendent of Police Ravi Prakash merely remarked, “The matter is sub-judice.” (Pioneer 27/11/13)State govt, NGO teams probe Dalit ostracisation in Mehsana village (2)Ahmedabad: Two separate teams, one from the government and another led by a human rights NGO,conducted separate inquiries into the Dalit ostracisation issue at Dagavadia village in Mehsana district,following a report published by The Indian Express on November 16. The Indian Express had reportedthat a minor dispute between two youths of the village had resulted in a clash between Dalits and thelocally dominant and influential Chaudhary community in October, leading to the Dalits being allegedlyostracised by the Chaudharys. Local Dalits had alleged that the Chaudharys were not providing themlabour work on their farms and that their entry into the village temple was prohibited. The Dalits alsoalleged that the local barbers were not cutting their hair and local provision stores, barring a few, were notproviding them daily ration. Following this report, the Mehsana collector was asked to look into the matter.A rejoinder from the Director of Scheduled Caste Welfare, Gujarat State, R M Jadav said, "The Mehsanacollector had instructed the joint team consisting of (1) Mamlatdar, Vijapur (2) Taluka DevelopmentOfficer, Vijapur, (3) Police Sub Inspector, Vasai and (4) District Backward Class Welfare Officer,Mehsana, to inquire into the matter." The government also said, "The team visited the village and met theSarpanch and other Leaders of the village. The team had discussed with them and got positive solution ofthis matter. The complainant and other Dalits were given entry into the temple. At present, there is nodispute about ration, hair-cutting and supply of other commodities in the village. Moreover, Dalits havebeen provided police protection according to their demand," the release said. Meanwhile, a retired judgeof the Gujarat High Court and former Lokayukta of Gujarat, S M Soni, who runs the NGO for humanrights, Justice on Trial, also visited Dagavadia to conduct an independent inquiry. "I have visited thevillage and met some of the concerned parties. And we are trying to persuade them to arrive at acompromise," Soni said. (Indian Express 1/12/13)Dalit family beaten, house burnt in Berasia (2)BHOPAL: A dalit and his family were beaten up and their house was burnt by a group at village BirahShyamkhedi in Berasia on the outskirts on the state capital. The incident had taken place on Saturdayevening. Police said the dispute was over a piece of land on which the victim and accused parties areclaiming stakes. The accused are yet to be arrested. Victim, Kaluram, 38. had erected a shanty on anelevated land area in the village after his small piece of land submerged in a dam project. However,accused Arvind Singh claimed the land to be his. Police said the situation turned violent when Arvindalong with his brothers Rajendra, Santosh Singh and a relative Beer Singh attacked Kaluram and hisfamily, including his wife Narayani and daughter Sarju. After beating the family, the accused torch theirhouse and escaped. The police have registered a case under the relevant sections and said the effortsare on to nab the accused, adding that the nature of injuries sustained by the victim side is not serious.Police said the land in dispute between the two parties is a government land. (Times of India 2/12/13)Dharmapuri Dalit Parents Attempt Suicide Over Inter-caste Marriage (2)DHARMAPURI: Tension prevailed for sometime at the collectorate here on Monday after a dalit coupleattempted to set themselves ablaze alleging police harassment over their son’s marriage with a casteHindu Girl. Sources said that around 12.15 pm, K Aathimooalam and his wife A Muthulakshmi of Mullipattivillage, came to the collectorate and doused themselves with kerosene. While they were about to set fireto themselves, revenue officials overpowered and foiled their bid. On information from officials policecame to the spot and held talks with the couple. RDO P Ramar told the police to look into the grievancesof the couple and provide them protection. Meanwhile, speaking to Express, the couple said that theybelonged to Arunthathiyar community. Their son Ramesh (20) had married a caste Hindu girl, Sangeetha