Mangaluru : Activists from Karnataka Aadivasi Hakkugala Samanvaya Samiti, Democratic Youth Federation of India and residents of Neriya on Tuesday took out a demonstration demanding better treatment for 48-year-old Sundara Malekudiya, who has suffered grievous injury following an assault on July 26.
He was attacked by landowner Gopalakrishna Gowda with a grass-cutting machine when Malekudiya objected to latter’s act of removing weed in his place.
He had a severe cut on his left hand and right palm, and lost his thumb and forefinger.
He is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
State President of Democratic Youth Federation of India Muneer Katipalla said Sundara Malekudiya has been admitted in the ward meant for patients treated free of cost at the private hospital.
Sundara was not getting the right kind of attention at this ward, he claimed.
Mr. Katipalla said Health Minister U.T. Khader should ensure that he got quality treatment by moving him to a special ward in the hospital.
S.Y. Gurushant, the State Convenor of Karnataka Aadivasi Hakkugala Samanvaya Samiti, said the attack was a reflection of exploitation of tribal groups living in forest areas.
While welcoming action of police in arresting Gopala Gowda, Mr. Gurushant said the police should invoke Goonda Act against him. People need to know who provided shelter for Gopala Gowda till his arrest on August 22.
L. Shekar from the Aadvasi Hakkugala Samanvaya Samiti said the Government should at the earliest allot to Malekudiya the lands that they are cultivating.
He also urged government to take action to vacate lands in Banjarumale and Neriya that have been illegally occupied by land owners, who are denying motorable road to the villagers.