Mangaluru : Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner K.G. Jagadeesha on Wednesday walked out of a meeting convened to address the grievances of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes when Dalit activists raised their voice against the delay in allotment of sites to them under the Depressed Class Manna land — meant for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

As Mr. Jagadeesha was explaining the legal hurdles in granting such land and the clarification he has sought from the government, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Ambedkar Vaada) Mysuru district convenor Chandu L. stood up and said that landless Dalits cannot wait any longer for allotment.

Mr. Chandu said that Dalits have been fighting for several decades for allotment of sites in such land which, however, has been encroached upon. “Every time we take up the issue, we are given an explanation that a representation has been made to the government, which does not respond,” he said.

Mr. Chandu also accused officials of allotting land to some Dalits even when there was a legal hurdle. “While local residents are denied land, allocation is being made in Belthangady for persons living outside the district,” he said and pointed out at the allocation of three acres of land in Odalnal village in Belthangady to Shivakumar K., who, Mr. Chandu said, was a native of Mysuru.

Activist Shekar Laila joined Mr. Chandu and said that they were pained over the time being taken in getting encroachments cleared for allocation of sites to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Other activists too joined in the chorus to question the delay.

While Superintendent of Police C.H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy tried to bring order at the meeting, an irked Mr. Jagadeesha said: “I cannot sit when you are talking,” and walked out. Mr. Reddy and other officials also left the meeting hall. Terming the action of Mr. Jagadeesha as an insult to Dalits, Mr. Chandu and other Dalit leaders staged a snap protest in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner.

Mr. Shekar Laila said that the conduct of Mr. Jagadeesha was akin to harassment and he demanded criminal action.

Dalits will launch an agitation seeking the transfer of Mr. Jagadeesha, he said.