Insecurity grips locals post clashes

The recent caste clashes in Saharanpur have created a sense of distrust between the members of upper castes and Dalits who have been living together for generations.

Both the communities depend on each other for work and livelihood. The upper caste, generally landlords, engage Dalits in sowing and reaping of crops in their agricultural fields.

Though in the past few decades many Dalits have become landowners and their financial condition has improved, there are many who work as labourers, masons and carpenters.

Tension in Saharanpur has created problem for labourers who used to work either in agricultural fields or at the houses of Thakurs and Rajputs to make their living. Manoj Singh of Shabeerpur village is a landlord who hires Dalit and Kashyap labourers to sow and reap wheat and sugarcane crops. “Dalit labourers have stopped working in my field ever since clashes took place on May 5,” he said.

Singh had a Dalit servant who was working for him for the last four years but he has not turned up since May 5.

Thakur Puran Singh of the same village blames outsiders for disturbing peace and harmony in the village. After the clashes on May 5, the villagers formed a 20-member peace committee from both the castes but its meeting could not take place due to unavoidable circumstances.

Both members of upper castes as well as Dalit community are scared of police.