Khairlanji killings a proof of Dalit oppression: CPI-M

New Delhi, Nov 9: The brutal killing of four members of a backward caste family at Khairlanji in Maharashtra in September was a proof of the shameful and continuing Dalit oppression in the country, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has said.

"The shocking part of the entire episode is how the police callously sought to cover up this terrible crime. It is only weeks after the incident that the full truth came to be known to the outside world," noted an editorial in the latest issue of the party's weekly People's Democracy.

The four members of the backward community family, a woman, her daughter and two sons, were lynched after the two women were raped and the two young men mutilated in Khairlanji village in Bhandara district Sep 29.

"The state government and the police authorities have to be ashamed of how the administration reacted to this incident.

"Efforts have to be made to ensure that each and every person involved in the crime is brought to book. No mercy should be shown to the perpetrators," it said.

The editorial also pointed out that there has been a 46 percent increase in the number of crimes against the scheduled castes in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

"While 'atrocities' against Dalits are noted, decried and condemned periodically, what is ignored are the hard social realities facing the Dalit people.

"In the villages, the land is still the central issue where they are oppressed and exploited with the bulk of them being landless. Untouchability and degrading practices are still widespread," it said.

"The Left and democratic forces in the country have to accord the highest priority to taking up all the issues connected with Dalit oppression and organise sustained movements against the vicious oppression of the caste system," the editorial said.

It added: "The recent Supreme Court judgement seeking to extend the creamy layer concept to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes reservation indicates how far removed from reality is the ruling order including the higher judiciary."

The CPI-M, along with three other Left parties, supports Prime Minister Manmohan Singh government from outside.