DH News Service
BANGALORE, April 7

The Karnataka Pradesh Banjara (Lambani) Seva Sangh has demanded that the sale of girl babies in the Lamabni tandas of Chincholi taluk in Gulbarga district should be referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Addressing a press conference here, former minister and association Vice-President and B T Lalitha Naik said what has come to light is a fraction of the racket and a CBI inquiry should be ordered.

The culprits and the middlemen involved in the racket should be arrested and the government should take immediate steps to improve the socio-economic situation of the people, she said.Ms Naik said a team of the sangh which visited the region recently found that it was acute poverty which had forced the tribal parents to sell their daughters for money.She said the sangh will launch an agitation till the government initiated welfare steps for the Lambanis. A memorandum listing out their demands has been submitted to the chief minister, she said.

Among their demands include a comprehensive programme for overall development including social, economic, health, welfare and rehabilitation projects to be taken up on a war-footing in the tribal areas of the region. The sold children to be traced and returned to their parents and the government should also take the responsibility for their welfare and education.

Also steps should be taken to educate the population and curb them from indulging in blind belief and superstitions. Also, the surplus land identifies under the land reforms laws should be distributed among the poor tribal families.

They have also demanded the constitution of a Banjara Development Commission to ensure the proper implementation of the programmes.