'ANF forcing residents of naxal-hit areas to relocate to other areas'

The residents of Kuthlur, naxal-affected areas of Belthandady taluk have alleged that Anti Naxal Force (ANF) staff are forcing them to relocate from the area and they are violating the human rights of the local residents.

Speaking at the SC/ST monthly grievances meeting at the SP office here on Sunday, Belthangadi Aadivaasi Malekudiya coordinating Committee Convenor Vittala Malekudiya said that the ANF members also warned people against participating in protests. They have demanded to submit the key of the only anganwadi centre of the area at Kuthlur.

Dalit leader Shekhar also alleged that from 2002, there are allegations against ANF staff of harassing the localites. Many youth could not come to cities and continue their education because of them. Though it is requested to the government to resolve the matter, it was of no use. This condition would just promote Malekudiya youth to follow wrong path.

Superintendent of Police Sharanappa said ANF is must to curb anti-social force like naxals. They don’t harass people without reason and their ultimate objective is to protect people. The ANF staff also work under risk and there may be a feeling insecurity among them.

So, the co-operation of localites is very important. The government had released special funds for the development of naxal-affected areas, he said. Meanwhile, Shekar said: “We have no problems if they do their job within legal jurisdictions, but if they continue to harass, we are going protest against it.”

Baby Suvarna of Belthangady said that a weekly at Belthangady is depicting Dalit community leaders like terrorists. They have published a notification that they would give prize for those who identify few individuals who participated in the protest which was conducted against them.

“Do they have right to publish such notification. They are writing against us from past several weeks. We don’t have media in our hand. If police don’t take action, we will go our way and police should bear the responsibility,” he said. The SP said that the because of the High Court stay order, investigation can not be taken forward and it will be solved at the earliest.

Dalit leader SP Anand sought action against DySP for allegedly not conducting proper investigation in a case pertaining to a threat by a landlord to two women Gowri and Lalitha in Sullia police station limits. He alleged that the police have submitted a B report that the victim has misinterpreted law and can approach court. “The poor can’t spend heavy amount to approach court for the case which can be solved in police station,” he said.