The forum activists sat on a dharna near the DC’s office demanding action against the accused in the T Narasipur and Bilikere case of assault on Nayaka community members by people belonging to upper caste. They alleged that Mahesh and Yogesh belonging to Nayaka community and a minority in Senapathihalli village in T Narasipur taluk were badly beaten by Bheemaraju, Mahesh, Shivaraju and others. The duo is admitted in K R Hospital with serious injuries. However, the police have failed to act against the culprits despite a complaint, they said.

Similarly, a group led by Sanne Gowda, Shivanne Gowda, Ravi Gowda, Linge Gowda, Madegowda and Lakshmamma carried out an assault on a Nayaka family in Neelagayana Koppal in Bilikere near Hunsur taluk. Police kept mum and did not act against the accused, they said alleging that police were bribed for not acting against the accused in both the cases.  The protesters submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner’s office and urged DC Harsh Gupta to pay a visit to these villages and witness the plight of the scheduled tribes.

Earlier, the protesters also staged a demonstration in front of the MCC complaining the negligence of the officers in utilising the 22.75 pc of funds for the welfare of backward classes and dalits.

“The authorities have misused the funds. The school fee for eligible beneficiaries is not reimbursed since past two years. While, the officials are hand-in-glove with the contractors who execute shoddy works under the scheme. A few officers demand graft for even releasing the amount given for the last rites of the eligible beneficiaries,” the protesters accused. Ramesh, G M Gadkar, Madhuvana Chandru, Somanna, Javarappa Nayaka led the protest.