New Delhi, August 29th, 2012

The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, returnable in four weeks, into the allegations that 63 members of 13 Dalit families are facing social ostricization owing to the highhandedness of the upper caste people in Thuruburei village of Shergarh block in Ganjam district of the State. The Commission took cognizance of the issue on the basis of a media report forwarded by a complainant.

Allegedly, the families of Dalits belonged to washerman community and have been facing social ostracism for the last two years, inasmuch as they are barred;

" from making purchases from shops of the village;
" from collecting water from the community wells and tubewells;
" from getting water for agriculture from the local lift irrigation point;
" from entering the village temple and community hall.

Reportedly, some of the medical practitioners also do not provide assistance to them when needed. Besides this, the Dalits are also compelled to wash cloths of the upper castes for a pittance.

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