Dalits urge police to visit their colonies

Dalits urge police to visit their colonies

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Sep 2, 2012: The monthly grievance meet of the police with members of SC/ST communities was held in the SP’s office in Mangalore today, during which the Dalits requested the police to continue visiting Dalit colonies in the district to build confidence among the communities. 

Recalling that police jeeps would regularly patrol Dalit colonies a few years back, a Dalit representative said that one hardly sees such patrolling now. 

Further, he said that these regular visits on the part of the police discourage atrocities against Dalits and serve to boost their self-confidence. He urged the police to continue this practice.
In response, ASP Anuchit said that the police will consider his request. 

Vishwanath, a Dalit representative, complained that certain people belonging to the upper castes are in the habit of using Dalits to intimidate other Dalits. He said that a man called Sunil Rai had used other Dalits to threaten him. Several Dalit representatives urged the ASP to take this matter seriously as certain upper caste people are trying to turn Dalits against their own community members. The ASP said that the police will investigate, but urged Dalits to find out why some members of their own community are turning against them. 

A Dalit representative suggested that representatives from the department of social welfare and the Ambedkar Abhivriddhi Nigama must be invited to these monthly meetings.