Attack on Dalit Houses In Haryana

Date: 
Thursday, September 1, 2005

Press Release

A delegation comprising of CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat, Rajya Sabha MP Dipankar Mukherjee, CPI(M) State Secretary Indrajit Singh and several other local leaders of the CPI(M) visited Gohana village in Sonepat which witnessed attacks on dalit dwellings on August 31.

The delegation visited the Valmiki colony and met all those whose houses had been burnt in the attack. The Valmiki colony comprises of houses of the most downtrodden sections. Most of these houses were built either from life-long savings or from borrowings from banks.

It was brought to the notice of the delegation that despite the presence of the SP and the DC in the area they remained mute spectators and did not take any action to prevent the attack. The CPI(M) demands immediate action against the SP and DC for gross dereliction of duty.

All evidence points to this being a pre-meditated attack in which the involvement of the relatives of some BJP leaders is suspected. Immediate action has to be taken against all those involved in this attack.

The CPI(M) also demands the payment of adequate compensation to all those whose houses were burnt and property destroyed.

The delegation will also be meeting the Central Home Minister and the Haryana Chief Minister.