Belthangady: Remember Sundara Malekudiya, a tribal man whose fingers were chopped off by a local landlord over land dispute?
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury visited Sundar Malekudiya in September 2015
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury visited Sundar Malekudiya – See more at: https://archive.newskarnataka.com/mangalore/yechury-visits-sundar-malekudiya-condemns-feudal-landlorism#sthash.eRnBu7kj.dpufWell, even after having lost his finger and also source of livelihood, Malekudiya’s wait for justice continues.
It was on July 25, 2015 that a local landlord named Gopala gowda chopped off Malekudiya’s fingers using the weeding machine in the very courtyard of Malekudiya’s house at Kataje in Neriya village.
Gopala Gowda was supported by his sister and a few others in this gruesome act. After undergoing treatment in several hospitals in Mangaluru, Malekudiya only returned home with paralysed hands. In the battle against the landlord, his wife Revathi too lost her three fingers. With the burden of the family falling on their son Purnesh, the Malekudiyas have not been able to provide continued treatment to Sundara Malekudiya as their means are very limited.
The district hospital had given free treatment to Sundara Malekudiya but now for the advanced treatment the famliy is looking forward to get help from the government.
Earlier, after the incident took place, several organisations had demanded justice to the family. Aggressive protests were carried out. But the accused have been able to secure bail and are roaming freely. The atrocity case has been dismissed and the case now stands as a land dispute.
Revenue officers had earlier promised title deeds for the Malekudiya families living in government land in the area. Even the revenue officials and forest officials had conducted survey as per the order of the DC and submitted a report that the land they were living was not belonging to forest department. The families were promised of title deeds within a month. But till now they have not been given one. The family has run from pillar to post and it has become a mere dream.
Shekhara Layila, member of state committee for Adiwasi’s rights said, “Sundara Malekudiya’s family still awaits justice. They should be provided with title deeds and government should provide pension under physically challenged section. The state government should intervene and file a caste of assault and culprits must be punished. There should be an end to such atrocities.”
Sundara Malekudiya said, “My family is still horrified with the attack and we have not been able to come out of the shock. Our only hope of getting help is from the state government.”
