BJP for high-level probe into attack on Dalits

Hyderabad, May 2 (UNI) The BJP today demanded a high-level inquiry into the alleged attack on Dalits allegedly by supporters of the Congress MP Nizamuddin in Kadiri in Anantapur District on Monday.

The party's Andhra Pradesh unit President Bandaru Dattatreya, who returned after visting the curfew-bound town to console the victims, claimed at a press conference here that the ruling Congress was pressurising the Dalits to withdraw their complaints in connection with the torching of their houses and ransacking of furniture and other household articles.

Alleging that the Congress Government had ''totally failed'' to prevent outbreak of clashes by posting additional police bandobust in the sensitive area, he criticised Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy for not visiting the trouble-torn town. He demanded adequate compensation to those who were injured in the incident and lost their property.

He criticised the opposition TDP for not condemning the attack due to ''vote bank politics''. The tendency of 'appeasing' a particular minority community would lead to disintegration of the nation, he claimed.

Referring to the High Court staying the Government's proposal to allot lands earlier assigned to Dalits to industrial units, he demanded that Dalits be given back their lands which had been usurped by influential people allegedly in connivance with revenue officials.

On the Court's observation while hearing the petition relating to Margadarsi Financiers, owned by media baron Ramoji Rao, he asked the State Government to stop its vindictive action against the firm and allow it to function without Government interference.

UNI