[Reader-list] "Even animals are provided with a shelter"

[Shivam Vij शिवम् विज्]

There are refugees, and then there are refugees.
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shivam

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080049106

Dalits live like refugees in Gujarat

Rohit Bhan
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 (Palanpur)
Over 100 Dalits in Palanpur township of north Gujarat have been living
in makeshift camp for last eight months after being driven out of
their village by upper castes.

Ironically, the camp is outside the collector's office.

Maniben is one of them, widow of a man, who was killed after he went
to court over against Rajput family attempting to bring down his house
to get to their fields.

He won the case but after his killing, Dalits in the area were
attacked and threatened. They fled their homes and have been living in
these camps since.

''Even animals are provided with a shelter, if we find him wandering
but here there is none to listen that we are languishing here,'' said
Maniben.

The administration in September last year declared these people forced
migrants.

Initially, they were given Rs 15 a person per day but even that
stopped in March.

Officials said the money can't continue beyond six months.

''The government says they can't pay beyond six months but our
question is why hasn't alternate arrangements been made for our
sustenance in these last six months,'' said Maniben.

Meanwhile, officials said they are working on rehabilitating these
Dalits at the earliest.