A 1.5-acre burial ground, traditionally used by the Dalit community in Unnikulam grama panchayat in Kozhikode district, is at the centre of a controversy with the panchayat authorities levelling the area to build a modern crematorium and residents of nearby Mokayi colony for Scheduled Castes opposing the move.
Ramesh Nanmanda, president, Ambedkarites for Social Action, a forum representing Dalits, told the media here on Saturday that the ground located in Ward 5 of the panchayat, had been used since 1957 to bury members of communities such as Pulayas, Parayas, Valluvans, and Kalladis. He alleged that a group of workers at the behest of panchayat president E.T. Binoy of the Congress, ward member K.K. Pradeepan of the CPI(M), and panchayat secretary M. Deepuraj had entered the premises on October 27 and attempted to level the field on a 2,000 sq ft area using an earthmover. Body parts were pulled out and dumped in another corner.
Residents of the colony claimed that they came to know about the incident only a couple of days later. Mr. Ramesh said body parts of a person buried six months ago too were pulled out and dogs and jackals were seen lifting them.
The residents of the colony have now formed a committee to protect the ground. They also submitted a complaint to the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Thamarassery, on December 13, seeking action against the panchayat authorities under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Asked why there had been a delay in filing a complaint, Mr. Ramesh said the panchayat authorities had offered to tender an apology, and the president had feigned ignorance about it. The ward member, however, was reluctant to listen to their grievances. The forum has also sent memorandums to the Chief Minister and the State Police Chief seeking action.
Meanwhile, Mr. Binoy told The Hindu that the plot was in the possession of the panchayat, and that they had documents to support their ownership. There had been a demand from residents to set up a public crematorium since 1970.
The panchayat recently got ₹20 lakh from the State government for the purpose, and the work was handed over to Steel Industrials Kerala Ltd., a public sector undertaking. The workers employed by the firm had only tried to level the ground ahead of starting the construction, he said. “We are holding an all-party meeting on Monday to discuss the issue. The crematorium project cannot be shelved,” Mr. Binoy added.