The Zilla Anusuchit Jati Kalyan Samiti of Nuapada has condemned the action of the State Government against ex-SP of Kendrapada Satish Gajbhiye.
"It is the reflection of a Manubadi attitude of the people in Government. They did nothing to the officers who were responsible for the death of tribals in police firing at Maikanch or Kalinganagar. They could not even touch Suresh Mahapatra who was solely responsible for the Bramha fiasco. It is only because these officers were not dalits. Gajbhiye is targeted because he is a Dalit," said Dalit leaders of Nuapada district at a Press meet at Khariar.
The leaders demanded an inquiry by the CBI in this regard. "The Crime Branch inquiry has been ordered to make Gajbhiye a scapegoat," said Samiti president Fakira Jagat.
The Samiti also demanded increase in stipend of ST and SC students. "A student gets less than Rs 200 per year as stipend whereas he/she spends more than Rs 200 for obtaining a caste certificate," they said. Nimai Charan Tandi, Upendra Nag, Surendra Kumar, Jyoti Banjare and Ghanashyam Bhitria were also present at the meet.