“We demand the government to remove PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana in whose constituency the dalit massacre took place,” said OUJAC spokesperson M Krishank, who, along with a team of academia, visited Lakshmipeta in Srikakulam on June 30.
The team, consisting around 20 research scholars from Osmania University (OU), the University of Hyderabad and the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) took photos, studied FIR copies and met families of the victims. “We have prepared our own reports and will publish them soon,” said M Bhaskar, president of the OUJAC, at a press conference here.
The student leaders, who had travelled extensively, said even though a land dispute spurred the violence, the incident was a caste-based attack. Krishank said his team will make the incident a national issue. Telangana student leaders said they were welcomed at the Andhra University by their counterparts. They urged both sides to meet and discuss the issue in a mature way.
Many photos have also been posted on the social networking sites like Facebook by some of the student leaders and research scholars. Student leaders said the fact-finding committee, which plans to release its report, will also met the Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy.
Meanwhile, Laxmipeta Dalit Porata Sangeebhava Committee (LDPSC) took out a rally protesting against the dalit massacre in Lakshmipeta, from Sundaraiah park to Indira park on Wednesday. They made a representation to the collectors of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.
Cases filed under the SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act should be investigate within 30 days. Though, the attack took place on June 12, police have still not recorded the statements.