Kakinada: Several Dalit organisations staged agitations and took out processions in the city, expressing concern over the Supreme Court judgement about SC, ST Atrocities Act cases. The activists stopped RTC buses at RTC Complex and staged dharna in front of it. They argued with the police personnel who objected to their acts.
The Dalit, Girijana, Christian, Muslim and Minorities Joint Action Committee leader Ayithabathula Kame-swara Rao flagged off the procession at Bhanugudi Centre and the procession reached the collector’s office through Two Town police station, main road, Big Masjid, Balaji Cheruvu Centre and Indrapalem Centre. They garlanded the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar at Indrapalem Centre. They observed relay fasts at the collectorate.
Mr Kameswara Rao demanded that the Central government should file a review petition, challenging the Supreme Court judgement. He demanded that both the Central and state governments should prevent the attacks on Dalits. Settibathula Raja Babu said that SC, ST Atrocities Act is protection for the SCs and STs and the Supreme Court judgement may affect the spirit of the Act and also degrade it.
At Yanam, the Union Territory of Puducherry enclave, Dalit organisations staged a dharna and took out a procession. They submitted a representation to the Yanam Administrative Officer.
