Daily wagers, dalits stage protest

Two separate protests, listing several demands, was held in the city, on Thursday. While one protest was held in front of Aranya Bhavan, the other was held in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Daily wage workers employed by the Forest department staged a protest in front of Aranya Bhavan, demanding revision of their wages. They alleged that the officials were cheating them by not paying the specified wages and other benefits. Despite the department’s promise to revise wages several years ago, it is yet to be implemented, the protestors said.

They said, a total of 60 daily wage labourers were working in Periyapatna forest range, of which 28 persons were serving since 28 years. The State government has issued an order in 2009 to increase the wages of employees who have served for more than 15 years by Rs 1,000 for every extra year. Again in 2012, the State decided to increase the wages of day-labourers by another Rs 1,000. Yet, the daily wage labourers are not getting the salaries stipulated by the State, the protestors alleged.

Action sought
Demanding action against the persons responsible for atrocities against Dalits at Chunchanakatte, K R Nagar taluk, in the district, members of Jilla Nayakara Yuva Vedike staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

They alleged that a Dalit was assaulted in the village on June 5. However, police are declining to file a complaint under Atrocity Act. Even though the issue was brought to the attention of the Deputy Commissioner, nothing has been done, the protestors said.

They said, atrocities against Dalits in Chunchanakatte was increasing as four such cases have been reported recently. However, the District Administration is not taking any steps to ensure the safety of Dalits, they added.