Grievance meeting: Dalit functionaries seek action over subsidy fraud targeted at women

Mangaluru: Dalit functionaries have demanded action against a man accused of duping several women on the pretext of arranging bank subsidies. At the SC/ST grievance meeting held at the city police commissioner's office on Saturday, Dalit functionary SP Anand alleged that Mohammed Ummar reportedly collected between Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 each from around 15-20 women in and around Pandeshwar, assuring them of subsidies. However, the women did not receive any benefits, and the accused allegedly failed to turn up on the promised date. Anand also suspected that more women could have fallen victim to the fraud.Responding to the complaint, DCP (law and order) Mithun HN directed the police station concerned to register a case and initiate action. Paurakarmika Sangha president Anil Kumar alleged that women sanitation workers who had filed a sexual harassment complaint against a Mangaluru City Corporation sanitation inspector, now absconding after an FIR, were being threatened to withdraw the case. Since he claimed that there were call recordings, the DCP directed officials to collect call recordings and register a case. Anand and Anil Kumar also alleged that a senior sanitation worker couple were paid meagre wages without any benefits. To this, DCRE Mangaluru Range SP Simon CA said the matter would be verified upon examining relevant documents and asked leaders to follow up at his office. Concerns were also raised about anti-social elements creating a nuisance in Kudkorigudde and claimed they were not allowed to put up a banner for Ambedkar Jayanti. The DCP said organisers must remove banners and flexes immediately after events and that such conditions should be included while granting permission. On the proposed Ambedkar Circle, ACP (traffic) Najma Farooqi said reports from the traffic police, NITK and MCC engineers had been submitted to the deputy commissioner. DCP (crime and traffic) K Ravishankar suggested that a Dr BR Ambedkar statue could be installed at the ‘V'-shaped junction at the end of Light House Hill Road towards Ambedkar Circle. A representative urged the police to hold grievance meetings at the community level to improve outreach. Leaders also sought justice for a deceased woman, alleging that a sub-contractor had misappropriated funds belonging to her. When a woman raised a past domestic violence incident, the DCP (law & order) directed Surathkal police to visit her house under the Police Mane Mane Beti programme.The DCP (crime) said if SC/ST-related cases are not resolved at the inspector level, leaders should approach ACPs for redressal.
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