Bhagalpur, Oct. 3: Members of a different caste demolished over half-a-dozen kuchcha houses belonging to Mahadalits in a hamlet 9km from the Saharsa district headquarters over a question of higher remuneration for playing drums during Navratra.

The incident took place after Mahadalits of Ramtola village under Sahuria West panchayat in the Sourbazar block of the flood-ravaged Saharsa district in Kosi region, who used to play dhols (traditional drums) in the houses of upper caste influential villagers during the nine-day-long Navratra, demanded hike in their remuneration. Subsequently, they refused to perform after their demand was turned down.

Mahadalits playing dhols in the houses of people belonging to upper castes has been a part of local tradition since long. In return, they get remuneration from the houses where they play dhol. “Somewhere people give us money or somewhere they give us 2-3kg of foodgrain,” said Ramjee Ram, a victim. He said this time the dholwals (drummers) demanded 6-8kg of foodgrain considering the ever-increasing prices of essential commodities.

“Villagers at Sahuria summoned a panchayat at the village yesterday morning to settle the matter. They agreed to provide us 4kg of foodgrain as remuneration for nine days but we urged them to increase the quantity to 7kg. They became adamant and refused to increase the quantity,” he told the police.

As a result, the Mahadalits boycotted the village panchayat and refused to perform their duties. “In the evening, more than 100 armed men came to our village and abused us before demolishing our kuccha houses. They said we had have no right to stay in the village as we had not performed our duties,” another victim, Bindeshwari Ram, narrated to the police.

District magistrate Devraj Dev and Saharsa superintendent of police Mohammad Rahaman were not available for comment. Sub-divisional officer Rajesh Kumar, who rushed to the spot yesterday along with sub-divisional police officer Rajkumar Karn said the situation in the village was tense but under control.

He said the district administration would provide adequate compensation to the victims and the guilty would be punished.