Dalits of Pabnawa take out protest march

Scores of people belonging to a Dalit community of Pabnawa village took out a protest march today and held a demonstration in front of mini secretariat here, demanding arrest of the remaining accused in the violence in which several villagers and seven policemen were injured about 10 days ago.
The Indian Bahujan Sandesh Party (Kanshi Ram) also held a demonstration in support of the demands of Dalits of Pabnawa.
So far 15 persons have been arrested.
Meanwhile, Haryana Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes Minister Geeta Bhukkal today visited the violence-hit village to restore confidence among the violence-hit residents. Two BJP MPs also visited the village.

A 20-year-old girl of upper caste Ror community had allegedly eloped and married a Dalit boy of the village on April 8.
After that, on the night of April 13, properties of around 80 Dalit villagers were allegedly vandalised by members of the Ror community.

Later, at least seven police personnel, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police, were injured in the violence.
Members of the Dalit community alleged that the administration had totally failed to provide them protection.
They claimed that the Dalits who had left the village were scared of upper castes and were not ready to come back.

"It is a shame that many of the accused are going around freely in the village and the administration remains a silent witness," a village elder said.
Later, they handed a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Chander Shekhar.
Their demands included immediate arrest of all the accused, a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each of those who were injured in last week's violence, Rs 3 lakh each for those whose property was damaged in the attack and creation an atmosphere of safety for dalits in Pabnawa.
In the evening, Haryana Minister Geeta Bhukkal visited Pabnawa and talked to its residents to resolve the issue.

The minister said that all efforts would be made to create an atmosphere where everybody could live without any fear.
She said that the Haryana government had already formed a committee to ensure the protection of dalits in the village.