Hyderabad: Chandru is a village petrified in time. Its fossilization began on Aug. 6 1991 eight Dalits were massacred by the upper castes, stuffed in jute bags and dumped an irrigation drain. (DV edit Sept. 1 1991: “Chandru Proves non-Hindus can’t live with Hindus”.)
The Dalits of this Andhra village being more educated than the upper castes had a high consciousness of their rights. But the promised manna from the government is as elusive as peace in the village.
The Dalit cry for justice is yet to be fulfilled. A big lock greets those who visit the special court set up in the village to hear the massacre case. A school in the Dalit Wada had been converted into the court at a cost of Rs 5 lakhs. But frightened of the peace being disturbed if the court function from the village, it has been shifted to the district headquarters, Guntur.
Justice appears to be further delayed with 209 of the 219 charged in the case) having some out on bail. The main accused, the v Sarpanch, died (of natural causes) and the other egg are still at large. The Justice Gangadhara I mission to probe the massacre was boycotted by the Dalits and not yet submitted its report. (Indian Express. Dec.2)
