Dalits burn effigies of govt over land row

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, May 18

On the call of Zamin Prapati Sangharsh Committee (ZPSC), Dalits burnt effigies of the state government and the administration in several villages of the district today.

They were protesting the giving away of reserved lands in auction on lease to landlords in the name of Dalits and the “injustice” being done to their community members by not giving them lands at low rates.

Yesterday, land of Jhanerri village was auctioned by the administration but the agitating Dalits took the possession of the land forcibly, terming the auction as a “sham”.

Besides, members of the community have also taken possession of lands in three other villages — Kherri, Nidampur and Jhaloor — in Sangrur district so far. Due to this, a confrontation is likely between Dalits and administration officials.

An effigy of the state government and the administration was also burnt in front of the district administrative complex here today.

Besides, effigies were also burnt in Deh Kalan, Ladda, Lidran, Badrukhan, Bharur, Ghabdan, Kherri, Chathe Sekhwan villages.

District president of the ZPSC Mukesh Malaud today asked the district administration to cancel the auctions of the lands and give the one-third share of the panchayat land reserved for SCs to Dalits at low rates.

He said effigies had been burnt in about 50 villages of the district today.