Dalits protest seeking justice to fire victims in Kakinada

Kakinada: Activists of several Dalit organisations staged a dharna in front of Collectorate here on Thursday, demanding that the State government give compensation to the family members of the deceased in crackers blast at G Medapadu village in Samalkot mandal on September 30.

Activist S Konda Babu, who led the protest, said nine women were injured in a cracker manufacturing unit, out of which three women Kakara Bujjamma (35), Bathina Lova (30) and Kongu Lakshmi were succumbed to injuries while getting treatment in a hospital in Kakinada.

The activists demanded that the State government give Rs10 lakh compensation for the family members of deceased and Rs 5 lakh for injured victims. They said that all women who sustained burn injuries belong to poor families. The activists also staged a rasta roko at Indrapalem junction near Dr Ambedkar statue.

They said that Agriculture Minister Kurasala Kannababu promised that Rs 5 lakh for the family members of deceased persons and Rs 3 lakh for injured persons would be given. The activists said that the compensation should be hiked up to Rs10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectively.