The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Uproar over Dalit's suicide

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Uproar over Dalit's suicide

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JULY 20. Zero hour in the Assembly on Tuesday saw Opposition members vehemently protesting against the `callous attitude' of the Government to the suicide of a Dalit, N. Hanumantha Rao, in Ongole on Monday.

Six Dalits of Vengamukkalapalem of Ongole rural mandal attempted suicide opposite the Collectorate demanding allotment of land at Vengamukkalapalem village but Rao died later. The issue was raised by G. Kishen Reddy (BJP). The Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy, said a case was registered. Not satisfied, Mr. Reddy and TDP members -- B.C. Govindappa, C. Venkat Rao, G. Sayanna, Sridevi and S. Sujatha -- and N. Narasimhaiah of CPI(M) rushed to the well of the House.

They demanded a detailed reply waving newspapers reports. The Speaker, K.R. Suresh Reddy, moved to next item on the agenda.

Ch. Rajeswara Rao (TDP) expressed concern over the condition of weavers. M.A. Gafoor of the CPI(M) said 10,000 employees of the Medical and Health Department had not been paid salaries for six months.

P. Venkateswarlu (CPI) said many conductors had been working in the APSRTC for the past six years without their services being regularised.

Ex-gratia sought

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Dalit Bahujan Agricultural Occupationists and Artisans' Union has demanded payment of Rs. 5 lakhs as ex-gratia to the family of Rao.

G. Sudhakar and P. Ramulu, secretaries, and G. Narasimham, secretary of Ranga Reddy district unit, in a statement issued here on Tuesday wanted registration of a case under the SC, ST Act against erring officials.

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