Dalit truck driver on the verge of penury

By K. Balchand

PATNA, AUG. 9. A month after his rescue, Deenanath Baitha, the Dalit truck driver, allegedly tortured by the dismissed Bihar Minister, Mr. Lalit Yadav, is on the streets to make the ends meet.

Deenanath is yet to recover from the torture allegedly inflicted on him a month ago following the theft of a truck belonging to the Minister's cousin. The truck was recovered later and Deenanath rescued from the clutches of his tormentors.

Deenanath's toe nails were plucked out and the injury is yet to heal. Hence he is unable to walk properly. The State Government provided him first aid, but nothing much has been done beyond that.

The Government announced a compensation of Rs. 50,000 of which Rs. 12,500 was made available to Baitha immediately. The rest was to be handed over after a court decree. Baitha, however, spent the money for his daughter's marriage and today he is on the verge of penury.

The sole bread-winner, Baitha does not have money to feed his family comprising his aged parents, wife and son and to meet his medical expenses. The local people have been helping him so far.

The other day, he sat at a camp seeking alms at Nagri village on the Patna-Sasaram road in Bhojpur district. People donated about Rs. 1,000 moved by his plight.

Baitha, however, fears that his injuries will hamper him from earning an honourable living. He has written a letter to the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary, and the District Magistrate. He has brought to the notice of the powers that be that the promises made to him for his rehabilitation and medication had not been fulfilled. The Chief Minister had promised a job for him.

On the other hand, Mr. Lalit Yadav is yet to be traced. Police have attached his property in the wake of the issuance of non- bailable arrest warrants.

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