New Delhi, June 14

A Leftist human rights body, Janhasttakshep, today alleged that Dalit peasants in several villages in Sangrur and adjoining districts were being repressed by landlords and the state machinery.

The organisation and the groups active in villages are affiliated to the CPI (ML New Democracy) considered to be an extreme left wing political outfit associated with Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee (ZPSC), Punjab Student Union and Naujawan Bharat Sabha.

A fact-finding team which recently visited Balad Kalan, Bhadoh and Kheri alleged that Dalits in Sangrur and adjoining areas of Barnala, Patiala and Mansa have been struggling for their legal rights for effective control of 33 per cent of panchayat land in the villages.

The team had visited the state in the backdrop of lathi-charge on agitating Dalits in Balad Kalan located on the Patiala-Sangrur highway in Bhawanigarh. They were agitating to protect their rights on the land in the village meant for them.

Dr Vikas Bajpai, co-convenor of the outfit, said as per the norms 33 per cent of panchayat land in the villages is to be given to Dalits. Presently, the government does this by annual auctions. However, the landlords put up dummy Dalit bidders to control the land indirectly. — TNS