Dalits demand immediate clearance of pending files in Bantwal taluk office

Dalits demand immediate clearance of pending files in Bantwal taluk office

Mangalore Today News Network

Bantwal, March 12, 2012: Dalit organizations organized a 1-day protest in front of the taluk office in Bantwal on March 12 Monday, condemning the fact that a number of Dalit-related files are missing from the taluk office.

Hundreds of Dalits sat in front of the audit and administrative block of the taluk office all day, labelling the taluk office as “anti Dalit” and condemning the officers’ apathetic attitude.

 

 

Recently, a Lokayukta team caught the tahsildar red-handed, after which the people have completely lost their patience. They have been complaining about the carelessness and irresponsibility of the taluk officials for a long time.

Dalit organizations had also lodged complaints with the DC and the Lokayukta, in which they had stated that the taluk office has failed to dispose files related to sanctioning of sites and others for the past 3 years. The organizations also alleged that the officers had refused to divulge the status of these applications and had supplied vague answers to their questions.

Reportedly, a number of Dalits who visited the taluk office on Monday to find out the status of their applications were harassed and not given the information they demanded. Furious Dalits, therefore, sat in front of the office building and refused to move till they got the information they sought. Even Anil S. Kulkarni, the circle police inspector, failed to appease them. The protestors said that they will continue protesting till the assistant commissioner or the deputy commissioner comes in person and gives them the required information.

Finally, in the evening, Venkatesh, the assistant commissioner of Mangalore Sub Division, visited the office and spoke to the protestors, who left the venue only after he promised that all the missing files will be found within three days.

The protest was led by Bhanuchandra Krishnapur, the honorary president of DK District Dalit Seva Samithi; B. K. Sesappa Bedrakadu, the president; and Chandrashekhar Veerakambha, the president of Bantwal Taluk Bharat Ratna Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Samaja Seva Sangha.