Ambedkar Nagar residents cover themselves in faecal matter; demand action against corporates that have allegedly encroached upon their property
Ambedkar Nagar residents cover themselves in faecal matter; demand action against corporates that have allegedly encroached upon their property
THIS group of Dalit protesters will go to any extreme to be seen, heard and probably, even be smelt a mile away. Residents of Ambedkar Colony in Whitefield on Monday gathered in front of the Vidhan Soudha, covered in human excreta, to get their point across - that they are being treated as 'shit' by the authorities.
The issue at hand is alleged land grabbing by corporates. Led by local Dalit leader AR Annayya, the protesters claimed that the Prestige group of companies and Joy Ice Cream had encroached upon land allotted to them by the government. They also accused inspector BN Gopal Krishna of the Whitefield police station of harassment.
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However, the state government gave away over three acre of the land in Ambedkar Nagar on lease to Prestige and Joy ice cream. The protesters now allege that the two companies have started encroaching upon the rest of the land too.
The residents claim that despite requests, the companies have not cleared the land they had encroached upon. With even the government maintaining silence over the issue, they were forced to stage a protest in this manner, the agitators said.
Blame game is on
Monday was not the first time the group had staged this form of protest. On Saturday, the protesters had gathered in Whitefield area covered in excreta. The police claim that the protesters beat the men in uniform. Krishna said that Annayya is a history sheeter.
"Annayya has over five cases registered against him with the Whitefield and HAL police stations since 2003. The protesters are alleging harassment because I did not support them. I will now act as per my seniors' orders," Krishna said.
Annayya's associates deny Krishna's claims. Rafiq, a close friend of Annayya, said, "The police have registered false cases of robbery and theft against Annayya. On Saturday, Krishna lodged another complaint against him for assaulting a police officer.
How can anyone beat up a cop, especially if the media glare is on him? Krishna has a grudge against Annayya, which is why he has falsely implicated our leader."
Seeking justice
"We want justice from the government as well as the police. The two companies have acquired our land, but the police are acting hand-in-glove with them.
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The higher authorities should remove Whitefield inspector."
However, V Gopal, senior vice-president (projects and planning), Prestige Group said, "I am not aware of the issue. Our public relations officer would be able to throw light on the matter."
It all started in Savanur
The Bhangi community of Savanur, Haveri district has literally been picking up the faeces to protest against land grab.
They smeared human excreta over themselves as their form of a stir against those they claim are trying to evict them from their homes.
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The municipal corporation of Savanur has planned to build commercial complexes in the area, where the community has been residing in for the last 70 years.
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