CPM demands justice for Dalit sarpanch

Party State secretary P Madhu alleges the sarpanch was denied freehand to discharge duties

Vijayawada: CPM State secretary P Madhu on Monday demanded justice for Dalit sarpanch T Bhushanam, who was elected from Kodigudlapadu village of Pamuru mandal. The sarpanch has been facing harassment from upper caste local leaders.

Madhu alleged that Bhushanam was denied freehand to discharge his duties as sarpanch of the village. In a statement released here on Monday, the CPM State secretary said, “D Chandrashekar Rao market yard chairman, who belongs to the upper caste and Sk Chand Basha, panchayat secretary were intentionally obstructing the village sarpanch from discharging the duties. The panchayat records were not handed over to the sarpanch.”

The deputy sarpanch, who belongs to the upper caste allegedly given the charge to discharge duties as sarpanch. The CPM leader said the upper caste leaders have abused the Dalit sarpanch in the name of caste and created hurdles to discharge the duties regularly.

“In spite of the DRO’s instructions to handover the records to the sarpanch no one has taken any action in this regard and SC, ST atrocity case was filed,” said the CPM leader. He recalled that the victim had lodged a complaint to the Collector on his plight and problems. But, no action has been taken on the accused.

Madhu sent a letter to the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday in this regard.