Daijiworld Media Network - Yadagiri (MS) 

Yadagiri, Sep 19: The flare up that occurred between the people of upper caste and Dalits during a feast celebration in the Honagera village of the taluk has taken a vicious turn now. The upper caste people have threatened people of their community not to give drinking water to Dalits. Anyone violating the order will be fined Rs 10,000. The leaders of the Madiga community have filed a complaint in this regard to the district administration. 

"A fight had erupted between the people of upper caste and Dalits of the village during the feast celebration on September 10 in which the youths of Dalit community had stamped on the legs of the upper caste people. The issue was resolved after two to three days through discussions. But the upper caste people have socially boycotted the Dalits on the same issue. They have warned people of their community to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 if they provide drinking water or give grocery or allow the people from the Dalit community in auto rickshaws. This has caused panic in Dalit part of the village as we are not even getting water to drink," said the leaders of the Dalit community staging protest in front of the district administration office.

It is learnt that police circle inspector of Yadagiri Sharanagowda had visited the village on the evening of Tuesday, September 17 and conducted a peace meeting between the communities and made the people from upper caste to change their stance. However, there are accusations that the people from upper caste refused to give drinking water to Dalits in front of the police inspector himself. 

The officials said that one more round of meeting for peace will be held in the village. If the situation does not come under control, then stringent action will be taken against those instigating division in society.