Dalits still fear returning home after arson attack
May 3rd, 2010 - 5:53 pm ICT by IANS -
Hisar (Haryana), May 3 (IANS) Nearly 20 terrorised families are still
camping outside Haryana's Mirchpur village after last month's arson
attack on Dalit houses, in which two people were burnt alive. They
refuse to return home despite assurances of financial help and
security from the state government.
"Despite various assurances by the government, we are still not sure
about the safety of Dalits. That is why many affected families have
refused to return to the village. All their claims are on paper and
the actual situation is still very dismal in the village," Joginder
Gogripur, president of Valmiki Yuva Sabha that represents the Dalit
community in the state, said here Monday.
He said the government has failed in preventing atrocities against
Dalits in the state.
A 70-year-old man, Tara Chand, and his 18-year-old physically
challenged daughter were killed after they sustained burn injuries and
at least 18 houses were damaged in an arson attack April 21 on Dalit
families in Mirchpur village of the district.
Top leaders, including Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi and
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, have visited the village and
promised financial help to the victims' families.
During his visit April 27, Hooda had announced financial aid of Rs.10
lakh each and employment to a family member of the two people killed
in the arson attack.
"Victims of Mirchpur incident are being fully compensated for the loss
to their houses and domestic goods. Both sons of Tara Chand have been
given government jobs. Based on their qualification, Amar Lal has been
offered a clerk's job while Pardeep has been given a peon's job," said
Deputy Commissioner of Hisar O.P. Sheoran.
He added: "Rs.5 lakh compensation has been provided to Amar and the
remaining Rs.15 lakh will be provided to Tara Chand's wife Kamala."
But the victim's family is not happy with the compensation announced.
His wife Kamala, along with other members of the community, has been
staging a sit-in protest outside the deputy commissioner's office
here. They are demanding Rs.25 lakh as compensation for each of the
victims and an increased financial aid for the damaged houses.
Hooda had also announced financial assistance of Rs.25,000 and free
treatment to the injured. Apart from compensation for the damage to
houses and domestic goods, two quintals of wheat was also announced as
immediate relief for each of the affected families.
Twenty-seven people, including a policeman and a revenue official,
have been arrested after the attack, the cause of which they said was
enmity between two communities.
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