Case in Brief

Vangapuri Yesaiah, aged 45, s/o Vangapuri Jeevaratnam, SC Madiga by caste, r/o Madigapalli, Moorjampadu, Machavaram, Guntur has gone to Nagarjunsagar on pilgrimage with his wife.  On 9th March 2007, he returned to his village along with his wife at around 11pm, he stayed back for urination and asked his wife to go to their house.  Meanwhile, Errapati Srinu, aged 40 years, Kamma by caste of the same village, in fully drunken state abused Yesaiah in the name of caste saying, “A ra madiga na kodaka, ikkadem chesutunnav?” (You Madiga!  What are you doing here?), pushed him down and beat him on his back.  The victim noticing that the accused was fully drunk, said that they shall talk next day in the morning and was about to return.  Raged with anger the accused abused him again in the name of the caste and said, “You Madigas have become proud, don’t you answer when I am questioning, and unless we kill one of you from Madigapalle, you won’t come under control.”  Saying these words he caused cuts with the knife on the face, pushed him down, put his leg on the throat of the victim, cut with knife on throat and various parts of the body and beat him up and dumped him in the burial ground.  

Tensed, as the victim has not returned, late in the night, his wife and daughter came in search of him.  They noticed dogs barking in the burial ground and went there to find him lying unconscious in the burial ground with bleeding injuries on various parts of the body.  They carried him home and got him treated next day in the morning with Dr. Bhogi Reddy Venkat Reddy.  Errapati Srinu is already accused in murder and rape cases.

Vangapuri Varamma, wife of the victim is the Women Collective Member of Dalit Sthree Sakthi.  She informed about the incident to the village heads but they did not come forward with fear.  Then she informed the DSS Guntur District Coordinator (DC), B. Manjula and Narsaraopet Divisional Organizer (DvO), K. Krishna Murthy on 12th March 2007.  They immediately started and went to Moorjampadu and enquired about the incident.  After fact finding they lodged a complaint in the Machavaram Rural Police Station.  The police said that as Moorjampadu is remote area, they cannot go in the night and would go next day in the morning.   Later DSS informed Sakshi and DBSU and next day, DSS, Coordinator – Sakshi and Office Assistant - DBSU went for fact-finding.  As no action was taken even on that day, a press note was released on 14th March 2007 and the news came in the newspapers on 15th March 2007.  The accused committed suicide on 15th March 2007.  

15-03-2007, 23:05

Vangapuri Varamma called the DSS Divisional Organizer and said that relatives of the accused have come to their house, abused her in filthy language, tried to beat her, and said that they would make their colony burial ground after the funeral of the accused and warned the dalits in the Madigapalle of dire consequences.  The villagers fled away from the village.  She said that they have no protection, for the villagers left back their family to their fate.  DSS DO gave moral support to them.

15-03-2007, 23:10

SI informed the DSS Guntur DC that the accused has died and he forced to take a stand that neither DSS has lodged any complaint nor the police have received any complaint.  

15-03-2007, 23:15

The information has come to the state office; having received the information, the Convenor called the SI Ramanand Goud.  SI’s phone was out of covering area.  Then she called the CI, Hanumanth Rao.  As even his phone was out of coverage area, she called the DSP.  DSP was on leave.  The police there have given the number of the OSD (Officer on Special Duty) Ravi Prakash. Gunman received and asked if he should wake up the OSD.  Then she narrated the incident to the gunman to explain the seriousness of the issue.  He immediately woke up the OSD and the Convener narrated him the whole incident.  OSD said that he would immediately arrange for the protection.  

16-03-2007, 08:00

DSS Narsaraopet DO reached the village, which built in the confidence in the community.  DSS Convener called the DSS Women Collective members Simon Kumari and Varamma and talked to them.  The women collectives informed that no picketing was arranged.  

DSS DO stationed there and the Convener instructed the DO to call her over phone every half an hour as added to the situation there, there were no proper signals.  

16-03-2007, 10:00

When the Convenor called the OSD again, he said Moorjampadu does not fall under his jurisdiction and falls under Satennapalli Sub-division.  When the Convenor asked how he has assured yesterday night, he said that he was sleepy and assured of the protection.

16-03-2007, 10:10

The Convenor spoke to the SDPO, Sattenapalli immediately and detailed the incident.  He said that he was on leave but still he would arrange for protection.  

16-03-2007, 11:30

Phonograms and fax were sent to the SP and collector of Guntur district for effective action.  Representations were sent to the SC/ST Commission, National Human Rights Commission, State Human Rights Commission and IG of PCR Cell.  

16-03-2007, 14:30

After the postmortem of the accused, some people belonging to the Kamma caste came to Madigapalle and threatened that they would see the end of the Dalits after the funeral of the accused.  

16-03-2007, 14:40

Having frightened, the villagers started scolding the victim and his family that he is the reason for the whole dalits to be targeted.     

16-03-2007, 14:55

The women collectives of DSS informed the Convener of DSS about the threat and said that the police have not yet provided protection to the village.

16-03-2007, 17:20

Some people from the caste of the accused attacked the villagers and seriously threatened that they would see the end of dalits tonight.  The DSS women collectives informed this to the DSS Convener.  

16-03-2007, 17:30

The Convener immediately called the SP, Shashidhar Reddy and asked the reason why protection was not yet provided.  He said that he has seen the fax and phonogram from DSS, and he could provide protection only next day evening as all the policemen were busy in security duty for MLC elections to be held on 17th March 2007.  The Convenor explained the necessity of immediate protection in the Moorjampadu village, since the situation was tense, and the people of the accused are continuously threatening the dalits in the village and by the time police reach for their help next day in the evening as said by the SP, another Karamchedu or Tsundur incident would take place and they will have to provide security to the dead bodies of the dalits.  She asked the SP to arrange for immediate protection or he will have to stand responsible in case of any untoward incident on dalits.  Having realized, SP assured that he would immediately arrange for protection. 

16-03-2007, 18:00

By the time SI along with 6 constables reached Moorjampadu village, the people of the caste of the accused were in drunken state abusing and threatening the villagers.  The police assured the dalits that they are there to provide protection to the dalits and severely warned the people belonging to the accused and the elders of the Kamma community that they are there as per the SP’s orders and they would arrest immediately in case they cause even the slightest harm to the dalit community.  

Boldness of the dalit women community

When the police said to the dalit community that, “It’s the police who will stay with you and protect you and not the organizations who come once in a while.”  As usual the men nodded their heads saying yes.  But the dalit women said “No.  Even you (police) are here because of Dalit Sthree Sakthi.  Our women collectives (of DSS) are here to stand by us.  If we are alive today, it is because of DSS.   If DSS has not intervened, even you would have not responded.”

16-03-2007, 20:00

Convener, DSS spoke to the DSS Women Collectives for half and hour about the situation and assured them that the position is under control and they are safe.  

Present status

Now the situation is completely under control and the dalits in the village are safe.  DSS is constantly visiting the village and ensuring the safety.  Thus DSS has succeeded in preventing a massacre like Tsundur or Karamchedu at Moorjampadu village.  But ironically, the dalits in the village are still afraid of the so-called higher caste authority and are hostile with the victim and his family.  Hence DSS conducted a campaign in this village to strengthen the dalits.

Things have not changed

• The dominative attitude of the dominant castes towards the dalits has not changed.
• The submissive nature of the dalit men has not changed.
• The negligent nature of the police towards the atrocities on the dalits has not changed.

But what has changed is the attitude of the dalit women who have stood firm with the support of DSS in the village.  They have indeed got capacitated and strengthened with the awareness and trainings DSS has given.  The women collectives now proudly say that they have solved their own problem.  They have stood for themselves.  

Late Govindram Bheel (40) s/o Kaluram Bheel, residents of Khijadiyali Village hails from a Scheduled Caste (Bheel) family. He was a social activist as well an influential person among SCs of the village. Govindram was an activist, who worked effectively for the empowerment of Dalits. He was knowledgeable about the politics and also created awareness among the Dalits about their rights and how to use their voting rights effectively.

Since Govindram had a great influence in his village among Dalits, Rajputs, the dominants, did not like him. They were waiting for an opportunity to take revenge on him.  One day the sheep of Govindram entered into the field of dominant. By taking this opportunities on 6.3.07 the dominants Ganpath Singh (35) S/o Dalpath Singh, Jet Singh (30) s/o Madan Singh, Madan Singh (55) s/o Bhek Singh, Bakhtavar Singh (32) s/o Madan Singh, Veeru Singh(35) s/o Madan Singh, Dalpath Singh (45) s/o Bheek Singh, Pep Singh (55) s/o Samarth Singh, Ranaram Bheel (30), Sansu Kuwar (20) d/o Madan Singh, Madan Singh’s Wife and Ganpath Singh’s wife were armed with swords and lathies , intruded into the house of  Govindram and attacked him.  He sustained severe injuries on head and all parts of his body. They also attacked his family members who went to rescue him. Since Govindram sustained injuries on his head he died on the spot. Since the perpetrators disconnected the telephone line, the victims informed the police through Panchayat Ajith. The police reached the spot after 2 hours and took the dead body of Govindram to Samdade Hospital for post portem and FIR was registered under SC/ST (PoA) Act.  On 7.03.2007 last rites have been performed. 

Rajputs are the dominants and caste biased people in Paroda village, District Sikar, Rajasthan.

Kesharmal (50) S/o Bodhuram, residents of Paroda Village hails from a Scheduled Caste (Regar) family. He is an influential person among SCs of the village. In 2005 he had contested the Panchayat election as a B.J.P. candidate and lost the election with a few votes.

In the month of January 2007, under the leadership of Kesharmal, the SCs decided to build a temple in the vicinity of the present Balaji temple. Angered by the decision, Rajputs assaulted Kesharmal and his family members on Dhulendi (4.3.2007).

On the very day about 10.00 a.m Jayanarayan s/o Suvaram Yadav, Ramrathan S/o Aur Singh; Bhavani Singh, Ramsingh, Rajendra Singh, Ashok Singh, Sunda Singh, Vikram Singh came to Kesharmal house and started abusing him with caste name and attacked Kesharmal. And also the perpetrators pelted stones and bricks at his house. Thereafter they started to beat him and his son Mohan, wife and a brother of Kesharmal. However, some of the villagers managed to inform the police about the incident. The SHO Jitendra along with other police personnel rushed to the spot. They took the victims to the hospital for the medical treatment and then took them to the Police Station where making the victim Mohan sit in a separate room, the SHO Jitendra handed him a sheet of paper and asked him to write the statement.

To the matter of fact when Mohan tried to state the fact of the incident, the SHO to his apathy snatched the sheet and tore that away. He dictated Mohan to write the complaint as he wished and got that signed by Kesharmal (father of Mohan). The story did not end there. The SHO instead of arresting the perpetrators arrested and locked him, his father and Sawarmal brother of Kesharmal in the jail. Since Vinod s/o Barbulal, a relative to the victims, had tried to save them was called by the police in the name of their bail out. Duped by the police he was present in the jail but he was soon arrested and locked with the victims too. Victims are bailed out after 7 days from the jail. The case is under trial. Victim filed a Complaint against Rajputs in the court. FIR of the victims under Sec 3(1)(viii)(x) of SC/ST (PoA) Act, 1989 &Sec 323,504,506/34 IPC.

Victims are bailed out after 7 days from the jail. The case is under trial. FIR registered against the Victims by the perpetrator on 4/03/07 and under sections 336, 323,308 IPC. This case is under trial in the session court. The complaint lodged by Kesharmal against Rajputs in the SDJM court is still pending.

Lingamgunta Ravi Babu is r/o Vasapallipadu village under Tangutur P.S. in Prakasham Dist. The victim Ravi Babu is doing a small-scale business of selling grocery. On 04/03/07 the accused went to the victim’s shop in a drunken stage and asked about the victim where about. Then the victim himself was in the shop and said that he himself was Ravi.  Then the accused abused in the caste name by saying “you mala bastard” and beat him with hands and kicked him. The father, mother and the wife of the victim came to rescue him. The accused abused them in their caste name “you mala bitch” and threaded them to kill in future.  Then there were some persons who rescue the victim and send the accused to his house.

The reason for this incident is that the relatives of the accused Pasupuleateta Surendra Kumar and Sundram Sethi Narayana rejected to register the land in favour of the victims who purchased the land. Therefore the victims made a complaint before the police which was registered as an atrocity case subsequently the land was registered. The accused are the relatives of the Vendors. Therefore they committed the offence to support the vendors. The victim made a complaint, which was registered as criminal case by the police Tangutur. The accused arrested and released on Bail. Compensation paid Rs. 6250/-. Charge sheet filed. Refer as false case.