Manipal: Koraga Community Associations Protest at DC Office

By Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Manipal, 21 January 2012: Karnataka – Kerala Koraga Association’s Union conducted protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Manipal on Thursday, regarding the issue of exploitation of the Koraga community taken place during the Bhoota Kola in Inna Grama, Karkala Taluk and violation of the Ajalu Nirmoolana law.

 

During the Bhoota Kola conducted in the Bakimaru fields at Inna Grama on 16th, 17th and 18th January, the innocent and helpless Koragas were kept away from rest of the people and they were used for the Ajalu practices such as beating the drums. On this issue the complaint was given on 16th to the Tashildar of Karkala who is also the President of Ajalu Nirmoolana Committee. Accordingly the Tashildar had given instructions to the Padubidri Police Station to take action according to the law.

 

 

 

Before this, in a meeting held in the Inna Grama Panchayath, which was presided over by the Tashildar, the information on the law was briefed to the Grama Panchayath officers. But the Police or the Grama Panchayath officers who came to the spot of Ajalu been taking place, did not take any action on the people who are responsible for this. Even there was no efforts to stop the Koragas who were going through this, accused the protesters. 

 

Karnataka government has issued Ajalu Nirmoolana Law – 2000 on 17th August 2000 prohibiting the continuous exploitation being taking place against the Koraga community who belong to the backward community of the state. This law has been clearly violated. Therefore the disciplinary action has to be taken on the Padubidri Police for their negligence. The Panchayath Development Officer and other Officers should be suspended for their failure of implementing the law. The law should be strictly implemented so that such violation does not take place again, were the demands urged by the protester in their appeal to the Deputy Commissioner.

 

The protest was led by the Association President Susheela Koraga Nada, Secretary Sanjeeva Koraga, District Committee President Harish Koraga Manipal, Committee’s Karkala Taluk President Sharada, Senior Koraga Leader Gokuladas, Babu Pangala, Shshikala Koraga Sacheripete, Gowri Kunjoor, Udupi Municipality Member Kumar, Kaup Samagra Grameena Ahrama’s Ashok Shetty and others.