The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has directed the State government to frame a special scheme for their permanent land settlement 48 Scheduled Caste (SC) families who twice faced caste-based violence.
According to human rights activist Biswapriya Kanungo who moved OHRC taking up the case, 48 families belonging to Berhampura village under Brahmagiri block in Puri district had to flee from home following a conflict with an upper caste community.
The Dalit community had constructed temporary houses on government land in another village, Nathapur. However, upper caste people again ganged up under banner called ‘35 Mouza Committee, and asked them to vacate land. Subsequently, their houses were burnt and the families assaulted. A case was also instituted under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled extent and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Mr. Kanungo informed the Commission that while the victims were recommended for a compensation of ₹7,00,000 each under the SC & ST (POA) Act, only ₹1,75,000 had been disbursed so far, with the balance remaining unpaid.
“The displaced families, led Sangram Pahana have expressed unwillingness to return to Berhampura. An investigation by OHRC report noted that the families are currently in a better location with a better source of income and fear a future economical boycott if they were to return to their native village,” he pointed out.
Adjudicating the matter, OHRC member Asim Amitabh Dash directed that Puri district collector should conduct a fresh survey to list the affected families.
Based on the findings of the survey, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, in consultation with the Puri Collector, should frame a special scheme to settle the victim families for the SC families. Eligible families should be provided assistance in existing government scheme. (EOM)
Published – October 26, 2025 02:46 am IST
