Date:29/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/29/stories/2006052905390300.htm

Karnataka - Bidar

Police tighten security for today's Bidar bandh

Staff Correspondent

Bidar: Security has been tightened for "Bidar bandh" on Monday called by the coordination committee of dalit organisations in protesting against the atrocities committed on dalits allegedly by some members of the upper castes at Chitta (K) village in Basavakalyan taluk recently.

Committee leaders had accused the police of inaction. They alleged that the police officers did not intervene in time to stop the atrocities. They had been demanding the suspension of the Humnabad Deputy Superintendent of Police B.B. Patil. Circle police inspector Vijay Anchi and sub-inspector S.B. Patil had been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty and negligence.

The Karnataka Kshatriya Maratha Parishat has alleged that members of the Maratha community were being victimised by dalits. A delegation led by parishat district president Angadrao Jagatap met Deputy Commissioner Munish Moudgil and Superintendent of Police K.L. Sudhir on Saturday and sought protection. At least 20 dalits were injured, six seriously, when a mob ransacked the Ambedkar Colony at Chitta 10 days ago.