Dalits, landless labourers up in arms

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 30

Members of Dalit community from across the district under the banner of Pendu Mazdoor Union today gheraoed the office of Deputy Commissioner in for several hours to protest against the reluctant attitude of District Administration to get their rights of panchayat land.

A meeting between the District Administration, including ADC (General), ADC (Development), DC and PMU representatives was held to solve the issue. During the meeting it was decided that an appropriate action would be taken after an investigation on the auctions of panchayat land.

Before gathering at the DC office, the Dalits and landless labourers from across the district gathered at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall from where they took out the procession towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office while raising the anti-government and District Administration slogans.

They have been demanding the cancellation of auctions of panchayat land held at the villages, including Haler, Mallian, Dugri, Talwandi Bheelan and Dyalpur. Besides this, they have also been demanding action against the BDPO, Jalandhar (West), and SHO of Kartarpur under the SC/ST Act for not letting the Dalits and landless labourers in the auction process at various villages.

Speaking on the occasion, PMU representative Kashmir Singh Ghugshor said, “If their demands are not accepted, they will be forced intensify their protest.”