Mahato sub-castes boycott polio programme in Bengal

Balurghat, Apr 9 (UNI) Bedias of Mahato Sub-castes today boycotted Pulse-Polio programme in West Bengal's remotest South Dinajpur district.

As a result, more than 3000 Bedia children under age of 5 years could not get the polio drops.

Mahatos belong to Kurmi and Bedia communities. Kurmis are OBC and Bedias are in Scheduled Tribes.

Bedias had filed a case against 30 persons in the Court of Gangarampur Sub-Division that Kurmi community had illegally claimed themselves as ST and deprived the Bedias from their rights.

Responding to this, South Dinajpur District Administration had cancelled all the old certificates and would reissue new certificates after inquiry.

''SC&ST Welfare Department of the district is deceiving us of facilities like book grant, stipend,'' the Bedias complained.

As the inquiry was yet to be completed, eight persons of Mahato community in spite of receiving appointment letter from a primary school on February 16, could not join due to unavailability of certificates.

Protesting against this incident, the Mahato's, especially Bedias, have boycotted the polio programme today.

UNI XC JYN PC ARB BD1924