25 km from city,Dalits have nowhere to go

Their mistake: They had complained against the Rajputs to the deputy commissioner and block development officer over income from shamlat (common) land.

“What kind of life is this?” asked Puran Chand,a landless Dalit,who was thrown out of work by Rajput landlords as as part of a collective boycott following a clash that took place between the two groups on March 17. “The landlords are not allowing us to step on their land. They stop our women on the way and abuse them. They have even threatened to outrage their modesty. They have not only taken away our jobs but are also spreading the word in nearby villages not to give us work,” he added.

Another villager,Dharampal,said: “They are not allowing our animals to drink water from the common pond.”

“I had taken some land on rent from a landlord. But after the caste violence,I was forced to vacate the land — my brinjal crop is still standing there,” said Sohan Lal,who also claims to be a panchayat member.

“They call us by casteist names and the police do not take any action against them. They have threatened to kill us if they spot us. My husband does not take the main road now,” said Nasib Kaur,wife of Lakshman Dass — who was beaten by the members of the upper caste during the clash.

A dispute over the earning of Rs 15 lakh from over 400 acre shamlat land had led to a fight between the Rajputs and the Dalits on March 17. Allegedly armed with sticks,the upper caste members had attacked the Dalits at a local CPM office. In the fight,Dalits like Suresh Pal,Joginder,Satpal,Lakshman,Gyan Chand and Satpal has sustained injuries,according to the police.

While the injured were taken to a hospital in Raipur Rani,Suresh Pal and Satpal were referred to the Civil Hospital in Panchkula city as their condition was serious. The same day,the police had registered a case under Section 3 of the SC/ST Act and Section 148 (rioting),149 (being a member of unlawful assembly), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt),452 (trespassing) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC against over 100 people.

“While some had locked themselves inside the CPM office,some fled the village and thus were saved,” said Lakshman Dass,who was found hiding at the party office on Thursday,fearing violence due to the organisation of “Kissano Ka Mahasammelan” — a meeting of landlords from Panchkula and Ambala districts.

The meet was called to assert the their right over the shamlat land. It was decided that the land did not belong to the panchayat and any attempt to acquire it would be thwarted.

According to the Rajputs,the earning from the shamlat land belongs to them. Asked about the violence and repression of Dalits,Rann Singh — former sarpanch,who was named in the FIR,said: “We will not allow them to enter into our fields. The shamlat land has always been with us and only we have the right to harvest it.”

“We want a patch up. But a local CPM leader is instigating them,which has vitiated the atmosphere,” said Rajinder Singh,another landlord. When asked about it,CPM district president Mehar Chand Goyal said: “How can there be a patch-up between attackers and victims?”

Meanwhile,the police are yet to make any arrests into the incident. Panchkula SP Maneesh Chaudhry said: “The seniormost DSP in the district is probing the case. We will increase security of the Dalits.”

As per Panchkula SDM Kulwant Kalsan,both parties had been invited to solve the matter. A PCR van has been deployed for the security of the villagers,claimed the police.

The Dalits have approached the National Commission of Scheduled Castes and National Human Rights Commission in New Delhi to look into the matter.