Berhampur: Protesting the inordinate delay in providing justice to over 50 Dalit families of Balichhai village under Aska block of Ganjam district has announced to start mass dharana infront of the Ganjam collectorate.Speaking to newsmen here today,Ganjam District Dalit Mahasabha,president,Surendranath nayak said,the Dalit families continue to face an unofficial social boycott imposed through a kangaroo court in the village since 2000.Since than the dalit families running pillar to post and leading a nomad life.He said several attempts were made during the last 25 years for return of the dalit families to their own houses,but to no avail.Their houses got dilapedited and their 100 acres of farmland are under the clutch of a few upper caste people.He said recently the administration has assured to form a special team to conduct an official land survey to demarcate boundaries between the communities,which too not started.The Mahasabha has urged the govt to pay a compensation of Rs 7-10 lakh per family, permanent police security in the village, government housing under welfare schemes,release of farmland from illegal occupation by upper-caste individuals, job opportunities for qualified members of the affected families.He said,time and again the administration has assured that it will take necessary steps to ensure justice for the displaced.However`we have no patience to wait further said Mahasabha leader and announced to start the mass dharana for indefinite period from 26/3/2025`.Accompined by other leaders of the mahasabha and harassed dalit families of balichai,Nayak also appealed other organisations and general public to lend a helping hand to the dalits to get justice.
