Date:20/07/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/07/20/stories/2004072009330600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Six Dalits attempt suicide at Collectorate

By Our Staff Reporter

ONGOLE, JULY 19. Six Dalits of Vengamukkalapalem in Ongole mandal here today attempted suicide by consuming pesticide right in the corridors of the Collectorate protesting against the alleged indifference of officials in sorting out a dispute over a piece of land assigned to them on the outskirts of the town way back in 1970.

The Dalits, Nathula Hanumantha Rao, Anjaneyulu, Anil Kumar, Chundi Samson, Chundi Babu Rao and Kasumarthy Rajinikanth, all aged between 24 and 30 years, had earlier warned the Collector, B. Udayalakshmi, that they would take their lives if she did not solve the problem forthwith. They were rushed to the district headquarters hospital located opposite the Collectorate. Later, the Collector said arrangements had been made to shift a couple of them, said to be in a critical condition, to Guntur.

Talking to The Hindu , she said three ambulances were requisitioned to transport them.