Caste clash claims 8 lives in Kolar village

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, MARCH. 12. Seven persons, including three women, were burnt alive and another was stabbed to death following a caste clash between Dalits and Vokkaligas at Kambalapalli village in Chintamani taluk of Kolar district last night.

The violence that broke out around 8.30 p.m. is said to be a fallout of the murder of a Dalit youth last year.

According to police, Krishna Reddy (45), who was accused of killing the youth, was stabbed to death allegedly by a group comprising 20 Dalit youths, when he was returning home after alighting a bus last night.

As news of the murder spread, a mob of about 200 persons went to the Harijankere, doused four huts with petrol and kerosene and set them ablaze.

Seven persons were charred to death, while a few escaped the fire and also from the mob which prevented the people from coming out of the huts.

Sriramappa (25), Anjanappa (28), Shankarappa (27), Narasimhaiah (22), Papamma (40), Ramakka (45) and Subbamma (35) were charred to death. Eshwaramma (60), who suffered serious burns has been admitted to hospital.

According to police, Sriramappa - brother of Venkataramanappa who was killed last year - and his relatives were taking shelter in one of the huts that were set ablaze.

Reports here said people, belonging to both the castes, fled the village.

The State Government today ordered a judicial inquiry by a Karnataka High Court judge. The State Government would write to the Chief Justice of the High Court to nominate a judge.

Mr. Kharge also announced that a compensation of Rs. one lakh would be paid to each of the families of the eight persons who were killed in the violence.

He promised the State Government would rehabilitate the families whose dwellings were set ablaze.

The Director-General of Police, Mr. T. Srinivasulu, who visited the village, told The Hindu that 18 persons, belonging to both the castes, were arrested so far. The situation is peaceful and under control, Mr. Srinivasulu said. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been clamped.

Senior police officials, including the Inspector- General of Police (Central Range), Mr. N. Achut Rao, are camping at Kambalapalli.

The Chief Minister, Mr. S. M. Krishna and the Home Minister, Mr. M. Mallikarjuna Kharge, visited Kamabalapalli and consoled the relatives of the victims. They also met Ms. Gowramma, Krishna Reddy's wife.

This is not the first instance of a caste clash claiming lives in Chintamani taluk. A clash between the members of the Scheduled Castes and Vokkaliga community at Billandlahalli in March 1998 resulted in the death of five persons.

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