MANGALORE: B. Dayananda, Superintendent of Police, has directed A. Subramanyeshwara Rao, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Puttur, to inspect and inquire into circumstances leading to eviction of Dalits from a "DC manna land" at Kudumar under Kadaba police station. The issue figured prominently at the monthly meeting with Dalit representatives here on Sunday.

Keshava, Dalit leader said the Deputy Commissioner has reserved forest land at Kudumar to undertake development activities for Dalits.

Babu, a Dalit, had applied for a portion of this reserved land and his application is pending with the authorities. Meanwhile, the Forest Department has handed over the land to Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation, he said. Abdul Karim, a Kasargod-based cashew contractor, allegedly destroyed a temporary shed put up by Babu and his brother on the land.

Another Dalit leader from Puttur said Karim and his associates also destroyed bricks and construction material kept by Babu on the land.

When Babu approached Karim to seek an explanation, he was allegedly threatened with a revolver. Mr. Keshava said based on a complaint from forest officials about the encroachment on their land, Kadaba Police Sub-Inspector allegedly picked up Babu at night and brought him to the station for enquiry.

The police who questioned Karim and his accomplices in this regard found a licensed gun with them but not the revolver.

`No one ill-treated'

Mr. Rao said he had gathered information about the incident from his subordinate officers and that he had not visited the spot.

He clarified that Babu or anyone else in this connection was not ill-treated.

Mr. Dayananda pacified the members directing Mr. Rao to inspect the land in question and ascertain personally facts pertaining to the incident.

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