SC panel urges action to recover Dalit lands encroached by influential people

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A.P. State Commission for Scheduled Castes member Ravada Seetharam with farmers in Chintala Belagam village in Parvatipuram Manyam district. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Scheduled Castes member Ravada Seetharam on Friday asked Parvatipuram-Manyam Collector N. Prabhakar Reddy to resume 12 acres of land grabbed by influential persons in Chintalabelagam village of Jiyyammavalasa mandal of the district. According to a note sent to the Collector, the lands which were under the cultivation of scheduled communities were forcibly taken by the local influential persons.

With the suggestion from the Commission, the revenue authorities had taken back lands and put a board saying that the lands belonged to the government. However, the influential persons had removed the board and started cultivation in the land, while not allowing scheduled caste farmers into the site.

“The revenue authorities must act seriously since the official board was removed from the site. Legal and criminal action on the encroachers should be taken immediately. The government should do justice to previous Dalit farmers,” said Mr. Seetharam. He said that the Commission had been receiving number of complaints about the grabbing of lands belonged to Dalits in several parts of the State.

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