VISAKHAPATNAM: National SC Commission member K Ramulu on Thursday visited Jerripothula Palem village of Pendurthi mandal where a Dalit woman was allegedly stripped over a land dispute on Tuesday. He consoled the victims and assured them justice through the SC Commission. He sought details of the incident and action taken by the officials. Later, he directed the local administration officials to file a case under the Nirbhaya, SC/ ST Atrocities Acts against the accused immediately.
“After consulting the District Collector and Superintendent of Police, I will write to the Chief Secretary about the injustice done to the Dalit women and their families through the incident,” Ramulu said.
Ramulu said that an ex-gratia of `8 lakh would be paid to the victim, of which 25 per cent amount to be given by tonight (Thursday), as the first phase relief. “As the victims are claiming they have been living in the same area for the last 40 years, it should be allotted to them without any delay,” he said.
He also directed the officials to demolish the new constructions and allot the land to the 14 Dalit families who were allotted the land around 40 years ago. He also directed RDO to cancel the land allocation order and give the land back to the 14 Dalit families. GV Harshakumar, former MP of Amalapuram, RDO Venkateswarlu, DIG Ravikumar Murthy, tehsildar Sudhakar Naidu, Social Welfare DD Ramana Murthy and others participated. Meanwhile, in support of the victim dalit woman and families, AIDWA and other woman organisations along with CPI, CPM and many public organisations conducted a big rally here.