The Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti has urged the government to raise the compensation for a girl injured in an alleged police lathi-charge during Mysuru Dasara from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh, saying the child is still undergoing treatment and the amount announced has not yet reached her family.
The demand was made at a press conference on Sunday by Shankar, district president of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti faction founded by Dasasaheb N. Murthy. He said the girl, identified as Shishira, was watching the Dasara Jumbo Savari when she sustained serious injuries after being hit by a police baton.
According to the organisation, Shishira is the daughter of a pourakarmika, or sanitation worker. Shankar said the family should receive higher compensation because the injuries could create difficulties for the child in the future and place the household under financial strain.
The organisation said the government had announced ₹5 lakh in compensation, but the money had not yet been paid to the family. It also said that ₹3 lakh had already been spent on the girl’s treatment at the hospital.
“Shishira is the daughter of a pourakarmika. She is still receiving treatment. The government should provide higher compensation keeping her future in mind,” Shankar said, according to the report. He added that the responsibility for ensuring that the family did not face financial hardship rested with the government.
The demand brings attention to the administrative handling of injuries during large public events, where police arrangements, crowd management and post-incident assistance directly affect residents and visitors. The report does not provide details of any police inquiry, disciplinary action or official assessment of how the injury occurred.
The organisation said it would submit a representation to the Chief Minister, the district minister in charge, the deputy commissioner and the city police commissioner. The proposed representation is expected to seek both higher compensation and government support for the affected family.
The report also does not specify when the ₹5 lakh compensation was announced or identify the department responsible for releasing the amount. The next formal step cited by the organisation is the submission of its representation to the state and district authorities.
