Dalit Activists Attacked

KASARGOD: Nine Dalit activists, including three women, were admitted to Kanhangad District Hospital after they were allegedly attacked by CPM workers at Nandankuzhi in Madikai on Sunday.

The injured have been identified as Binu Palankal, 30; Rameshan Arinkal, 27; Manikuttan Kallanchira, 27; Binu Karivedakam, 27; Usha Kallanchira, 26; Priya Kodumkuzhi, 30; Reshma Karivedakam, 18; Rajeev, 30;  and Sukumaran Palankal, 30.

The incident took place around 11 am when a group of people, allegedly CPM workers, unleashed attack on Dalit Service Society (DSS) activists who were campaigning for their candidate Gothramooppan Nellikkadan Kannan at Nandankuzhi.

“People who believe in democracy must wake up to realize that we no more enjoy our rights enshrined in the Constitution.

“Dalits are living oppressed in the so-called CPM party villages. It’s the politics of the CPM and people must vote without fear or favour to have a democratic secular government,” said O K Prabhakaran, district president of the DSS.

This is the third attack against Dalits in the past seven days.

Earlier, a woman was allegedly attacked by a police officer on duty and DSS activists were restrained from seeking votes for their candidate by an unknown gang.

When contacted, ADM O Muhammed Aslam said: “Strict instructions have been given tothe police for taking immediate action against the culprits. The District Collector will initiate action against the police officers if they fail to do so.”

Police, when contacted, said: “CPM workers are behind this attack and two people, named Ananthan and Subhash, were identified by the petitioners.

“They threatened the Dalits from visiting the colonies seeking votes and also beat them up.”

A case has been registered against the culprits under Sections 364, 323, 324, 147, 143, 148, 341, 323, 506 and 149 of the IPC.

Source: New Indian Express