Odisha rights panel orders Govt to rehabilitate Scheduled Caste families attacked twice

The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has directed the State government to prepare a special plan for permanent land settlements of 48 Scheduled Caste (SC) families who have been subjected to caste-based violence twice.

According to human rights advocate Biswapriya Kanungo, who led the OHRC to take up the case, 48 families belonging to Berhampura village in Brahmagiri block in Puri district were forced to flee their homes following a clash with the upper caste community.

The Dalit community had built temporary houses on government land in another village, Nathapur. However, the upper class people regrouped under the banner called ’35 Mouza Committee’ and asked them to vacate the land. Their homes were then burned and families attacked. A case has also been filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Extent and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Mr. Kanungo informed the Commission that while compensation of ₹7,00,000 had been recommended to each of the victims under the SC & ST (POA) Act, only ₹1,75,000 had been paid so far and the balance remained unpaid.

“Displaced families led by Sangram Pahana have expressed their reluctance to return to Berhampura. A study by the OHRC report stated that the families are now in a better position and have a better source of income and fear an economic boycott in the future if they return to their native villages.”

Deciding on the matter, OHRC member Asim Amitabh Dash directed the Puri district collector to conduct a fresh survey to list the affected families.

Based on the findings of the survey, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, in consultation with the Puri Collector, should prepare a specific plan for resettlement of aggrieved families to SC families. Eligible families should be provided with assistance in the existing government program. (EOM)