Murder cases of Dalits unsolved'

Mangalore, September 26: In the SC ST monthly grievance meet held at Police Commissioner's office on Sunday, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (Bhimavada) leader P Keshava said that several murder cases of Dalits have remained unsolved and the Mangalore Police Commissionerate has failed to crack the cases even after years.

Pointing out at a few cases including the murder of a Dalit woman from Kavoor 20 years back, the murder of one Shantha in Kankanady three years back, the death of a girl from Bejai-Kapikad during her visit to Bagalkot and the recent murder case of cab driver Govaradhan, P Keshava said that the police have not shown interest to solve the murder cases of Dalits.

“It has been a month since the death of Govardhan. Yet the police have not received a clue and failed to probe into the murder case,” he said.

Responding to his anguish, Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh asked the members of Dalit community not to lose their faith on the police. “The Mangalore police are doing their best to find the culprits who murdered Govardhan. We have been receiving several petitions from people with regard to Govardhan's murder and we are looking for all possibilities. Some times it takes time for the police to probe the cases. This case in particular, is a challenge to the Department and we would be proud to solve the case,” he said, adding the police are investigating the case without any bias.

Money lenders

Dalit community member S R Kumar informed the police about the money lending business in the city and asked the police to take action against the money lenders.

The Commissioner, who in turn collected detailed information about the money lending enterprises, directed the Sub Inspector of Police to close down such business. Girish Kumar brought a complaint to the Commissionerate which was about blocking the way of a Dalit family near Yekkur railway bridge.

“The house of one Mahabala near Yekkur bridge is surrounded by private land in three sides. Recently, a Central School has constructed a compound wall and blocked the only path that the family had to reach the outside world.”

Reacting to the issue, Civil Rights Enforcement Cell SP Sarvoththama Pai asked the family to submit a complaint with the Assistant Commissioner.

Ambedkar Bhavan

DSS (Ambedkar Vada) District Convenor S P Anand once again raised the issue of the Pavoor Government School engaging its classes in Amabedkar Bhavan in Pavoor GP limits. Sarvoththama Pai informed that he has written a letter to the Zilla Panchayat and the DDPI and has received assurance from them of shifting the school or Ambedkar Bhavan to other place within three to four months.

'DC not convened meet since 1 year'

Paying heed to the demand of the SC/ST community leaders who had urged Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh to be present at the monthly meet, the Commissioner chaired the meeting on Sunday. However, more grievances related to civil issues poured in on at the meet. When the Commissioner asked the community members to come up with crime related issues, Nirmal Kumar, a member, said, “The DC has not convened SC ST grievance meet since a year. So to whom can we tell our grievances related to civil issues? Who will solve them?” he asked.