Hyderabad: A dispute over access to a govt-allotted burial ground for Dalits has left residents of Chintalapalli in Nagarkurnool district alleging that private landowners are blocking the only route to the cemetery, forcing mourners to wade through water while carrying bodies.The incident occurred three days ago and came to light on Friday after villagers approached officials seeking immediate intervention.According to Madhavi, tahsildar, Kollapur, the govt had allotted land exclusively for a burial ground for Dalits on the outskirts of Chintalapalli around 40 years ago. The villagers complained to officials that the access problem arose about two years ago after three persons purchased agricultural land adjacent to the burial ground. They alleged that the landowners subsequently blocked the route.Residents said they had faced difficulties during funerals since then, with the landowners allegedly preventing people from passing through the fields. The issue came to a head three days ago when villagers were taking a body to the burial ground.According to the villagers, the landowners stopped the funeral procession and an argument followed. With no other route available, the mourners were forced to take the body through water to reach the burial ground, they alleged.The incident prompted villagers to approach authorities on Thursday. They submitted complaints to the RDO, tahsildar and the local police, urging that steps be taken to ensure that access to the burial ground is not blocked and to see that the community does not face problems in future.Madhavi said officials had been sent to the spot immediately to conduct a field-level inquiry. She said appropriate action would be taken based on the findings.
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