Hundreds of Dalit women on Thursday blocked Janpath near Bapuji Nagar here for around five hours demanding issue of land pattas in their favour. The women, along with some Dalit men, led by National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR) State convener Ashok Mallick came out in a procession from Master Canteen and headed towards the Navin Nivas (CM’s residence).
On a tip-off, policemen reached the spot around 11 am and stopped the agitators near Bapuji Nagar where a scuffle between the police and the women took place, leaving three women injured. After a few minutes’ scuffle, the women sat on the road in the scorching heat by blocking it till 4 pm. A Dalit leader said one Basanti Bhoi injured in the clash was rushed to the Capital Hospital.
Mallick said they have already met the Chief Secretary twice on the issue and they didn’t get any positive result but only false promises. They have staged demonstrations, rallies and dharnas for 24 times in the city to press their demand.
“Of around 2.3 lakh Dalits, we have given a list of 12,000 people for issue of patta. But the Government has failed to give patta even to 1,200 Dalits of Khordha district,” said Mallick and added that the Basundhara Scheme in the State has utterly failed.
A woman attending the blockade said they would self-immolate if the Government doesn’t issue patta in their favour. They would also stage road blockade in their respective districts protesting the Government’s lackadaisical attitude. “like Dalit woman Basanti Behera, who died in our movement on November 24, 2011, we will also give our life for the cause,” said the woman.
Dalits from Balangir, Rayagada, Nayagarh, Khordha, Jajpur and Puri districts participated in the road blockade.