[Reader-list] Protest Against Dalit Massacre (Laxmipet, AP) at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 6 September

[anoop kumar]

*A Day Long Protest Demanding Justice for Dalits of Laxmipet at New Delhi  *

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*On 12th June, at Laxmipet, Andhra Pradesh, the caste hindu villagers
attacked the Dalit families, brutally murdered 5 Dalits, grievously
injuring about 50 others and completely destroyed their properties.*

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*About 200 Dalits survivors of Laxmipet massacre are in the National
Capital to demand justice and to protest against the insensitivity of the
local administration.*

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*Please join their day long protest in large numbers at *

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*JANTAR MANTAR, NEW DELHI *

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*Date: 6 September, Thursday*

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*Time: 10 am onwards*

*Bojja Tarkam (Andhra Pradesh)*

*Rajni Tilak (New Delhi)*

*09871115382*

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*Brief Note on Laxmipet Dalit Massacre*

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Laxmipet is a small village in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh. About
80 families belonging to Scheduled caste and about 100 families belonging
to Toorpu Kapu caste, though listed as OBC, but claims to be a forward
caste, are rehabilitated in the village, after Madduvalasa Project.


The Kapus were paid compensation to their lands acquired and were also
provided with 40 government jobs. The SCs being landless were content with
only a small house site. Neither compensation nor government jobs were
given to them.


After completion of the project, an extent of 250 acres of agricultural
land remained surplus, which is not put to any use of the project. Since
last 10-12 years, the SCs are cultivating an extent of 60 acres and the
remaining 190 acres are cultivated by Kapus.


Since 3 years the Kapus are threatening the SCs to leave their land to them
and warned them not to cultivate. Since the lands are acquired and
compensation paid, the lands now belong to the government and no one has
any claim over it.


The SCs refuse to yield to the pressures of Kapus and continued to
cultivate the lands, in spite of couple of attacks on them. In fact about
10 months ago, in an attack on SCs by the Kapus, three women, including the
sarpanch received severe injuries and one woman succumbed to them.


On 12th June 2012, the Kapus hatched a plan to beat and kill the SCs,
swooped on the SC habitation at about 7 am, hurled bombs terrorizing them
and attacked whoever is found in the street, broke open the doors, brutally
killed 5 men using spears and caused grievous injuries with axes rendering
20 of them unfit for any hard labour. About 50 people received serious
injuries. Rest ran for their life.

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*The Demands of the Scheduled Castes*

   - The special court shall be established at Laxmipet Village and the
   trial to be completed within three months.



   - The 250 acres of agricultural land shall be assigned to the SCs of
   Laxmipet. A part of the said land can also be assigned to SCs and other
   poor of Kottisa, a neighbouring village.

*The Present Situation *


The accused, including the prime conspirator were arrested only after 20
days after the FIR and that too after an agitation. The SC, ST (POA) Act
command that the charge sheet shall be filed within 30 days, however for
even after 75 days the charge sheet is not filed. The special court has not
yet been constituted.


The Government is thinking of transporting the SCs of Laxmipet and resettle
them in totally different area, and assign land there. The government is in
search of the land for purchase. The SCs of Laxmipet are not willing to
move of their village.