Dalits stage demonstration over land issue
Tirupur:Dalit people staged a day-long demonstration here on Monday asking the State Government to take back around 1,000 acres in the district given during the British regime to them which were allegedly in possession of other communities.
A. Tamilvendhan, district secretary of Viduthalai Chirutahigal Katchi, who coordinated the agitation, told reporters that the lands were given during the pre-Independence era to Dalits since 1920 with the sole purpose of encouraging them to take up agricultural activities and thereby, help them improve their livelihood.
“Over the years, the lands were either sold or been encroached upon. According to the rules, the sale of land even if done by a few Dalits under economically crunch situations are not valid.
“Hence, the State Government should take back all lands either sold or encroached upon and issue free house site pattas to presently landless Dalit people residing in the district on the recovered plots,” he said.
Mr. Tamilvendhan blamed the revenue administration for not taking any steps till now to initiate the proceedings of recovering the lands despite repeated pleas made by the Dalit community on the issue.
Source: The Hindu
