Roads closed for Dalits in Vidisha

Bhopal, Nov 7 (UNI) The opposition members today alleged in the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha that erection of fencing around tree plantation spread over 25 hectare area in Vidisha district had prevented the movement of about 300 Dalits for about five months.

''The Dalits were forced to move out of Sayar village crossing Halali river with the help of a wire and their free movement was prevented by caste Hindus with the assistance of the Forest officials'', Mr Sajjan Singh Verma (Cong) said in a call attention notice.

Forest Minister Himmat Kothari, however, denied Mr Verma's contention and said the villagers were allowed to pass through the plantation area after senior Forest officials visited the area.

Mr Kothari did not concede the opposition demand for a visit by the House committee to the area to verify the government claim that basic amenities had been provided at the village.

This prompted Speaker Ishwardas Rohani to direct the minister to provide basic amenities at the earliest.

Opposition members Mr Arif Aqueel, Mrs Saroj Bachhan Nayak and Mr Ramniwas Rawat also pointed out lack of basic amenities like roads in the area. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan earlier represented Vidisha in the Lok Sabha for five terms, they added.

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