DIG to probe ostracisation of dalits

Speaking after meeting the victims at Nayakanur village on Sunday, he assured the Dalits that action would be taken under the Goonda Act, against those who provoke such exploitation of dalits in the State.

Asking the ostracised dalits not to get panic, Narayanaswamy stated that the government has released Rs 25 lakh to lay concrete road, Rs 20 lakh for underground drainage works, and Rs five lakh for community hall construction at the colony where Scheduled Caste families reside.

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar stated that officials concerned were instructed to take action immediately after dalits were ostracised in the village, and police protection was also provided to the aggrieved families. Narayanaswamy and Shettar also performed bhumi puja for infrastructure development works at the SC Colony at Nayakanur.

Protest

Members of Rajya Adijambava (Madiga) Sangha district unit staged a rasta roko near Shalawadi Cross on Sunday, demanding the arrest of Andanigouda Patil and others who allegedly ostracised dalit families at Nayakanur village.

They also demanded ministers Narayanaswamy and Shettar to take steps to confiscate the properties of Patil. The government should rehabilitate dalit families by giving land, financial assistance, and other facilities, they said.