The Milita Dalit Mahamancha, a federation of pro-dalit organisations in the State, on Thursday demanded strict implementation of laws to stop growing atrocities against dalit, tribals and women in the State.
The members of Mahamancha took out a rally demanding that violation of human rights in the Posco area should be stopped and police prevented from going there.
Criticising the State Government for ignoring the rights of dalits and tribals, a memorandum was submitted to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding his cognisance of reports by several national organisations on the plight of the weaker section of the society in the State.
Their other demands included approval of the Odisha Reservation of Vacancies (ORV) Bill, reservation of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in contract appointment and promotion; recognition of Saar, Saura, Patar Saura and Jhuria communities as scheduled tribes; and scheduled caste status for Mehentar, Pana, Kandara, Bauri, Dhoba and Gokhas.
The rally was attended by Odisha Jana Morcha (OJM) leaders Rajendra Singh, Amiya Pandav and Jayadarshi Nayak, State Chairman of Republican Party of India (RPI) Seikh Abdul Wali and spokesman of the Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) Sangram Paikray.