The police on Thursday stopped hundreds of dalits and tribals led by the National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR) Odisha unit near Master Canteen Square here while they were marching towards the Naveen Niwas, the Chief Minister’s residence, to stage a dharna there.
The dalits and tribals, who had been continuing their dharna since November 7 at lower PMG, decided in the morning on Thursday to stage a dharna in front of the Naveen Niwas in support of their demand of allotment of four decimals of land along with pattas and protection of their other interests.
When the police stopped the protesters, the latter blocked the road connecting Rajmahal Square and Vani Vihar Square for more than two hours demanding immediate fulfilment of their demands.
NACDOR State unit coordinator Ashok Mallik said dalit families cannot apply for caste certificate because they don’t have RoRs of their houses. “Dalits and tribals are restricted from educational and other Government benefits for not having a caste certificate,” he added. Mallik said they have submitted memorandums to the State Government several times earlier, but nobody pays heed to their demands.
On Wednesday, they had a meeting headed by Chief Secretary GC Pati in this regard. “Officials at the meeting had informed us to provide a positive report before 10 am on Thursday. But failing to get the report, NACDOR members decided to stage their stir at the Naveen Niwas in the day,” he added.