Buta alleges anti-Dalit policy adopted during polls

Phagwara, May 21 (UNI) National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission Chairman and former Union Home Minister Buta Singh has alleged that government machinery in Punjab has adopted anti-Dalits policy during the Block Samiti, Zila Parishad and ongoing Panchayat elections to please the ruling SAD-BJP alliance.

Talking to newspersons here yesterday, Mr Singh demanded a high- level probe into the matter and said he was collecting details about the excesses committed against the Dalits and would soon write to Election Commission, Centre and State Government in this regard.

He said a few delegations of Dalits, which met him, had alleged that the reservation was being made on the basis of the population at block levels and Dalit candidates were being forced by election machinery to contest on general seats.

He also spoke against the increasing numbers of land mafias in the country which were being allegedly patronised by some few political parties.

Mr Singh said Delhi Airport Authority was unable to provide alternative residence to those residents whose properties were acquired by the authority.

''More than 1500 families were still houseless and I will soon meet Delhi Governor Tejinder Khanna for restoration of their rights,'' he said.

UNI XC-JN RC KP1909