Family of Dalit brothers who were killed over land dispute sought police protection: Gujarat Cong
GPCC president Shaktisinh Gohil alleged that the state intelligence bureau should have ideally alerted the Gujarat administration about the possibility of an attack.
Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president, Shaktisinh Gohil on Thursday hit out at the BJP-government in the state for purportedly failing to provide “police protection” to the family of two Dalit brothers who were allegedly maimed and murdered by members of the Kshatriya community at Samadhiyala village in Surendranagar district on Wednesday.
Gohil, while addressing media persons on Thursday, claimed that the family had submitted a written application to the Gujarat Police, Chief Minister and state Home Minister seeking police protection earlier this month. “On July 5, the family members of the deceased had written an application to the Gujarat Chief Minister, state Home Minister and the police seeking police protection. The letter states that they were being threatened when they go to till their agricultural land.
“Despite a written application, no police protection was provided and last night when they went to their farm, the family members were beaten up and two of them were killed and several others were injured,” said Gohil.
He further said that former MLA from the region, Naushad Solanki, and chairman of the party’s SC cell, Hitendra Pithadiya, have already reached the affected village. Gohil added that he will be visiting the family later in the evening.
“This attack has happened in a region which is considered to be sensitive with regard to attacks on Dalits. Despite this, no steps were taken to safeguard the family. This reflects on the law and order situation in the state,” he added.
Gohil alleged that the state intelligence bureau should have ideally alerted the Gujarat administration about the possibility of an attack. “However, the state intelligence bureau has been deployed to spy on opposition leaders, journalists and businessmen,” he claimed.
Six men belonging to the Kshatriya community and a mob of around 15 persons were booked on Thursday after they allegedly maimed and murdered two Dalit brothers and injured four others, including three women on Wednesday evening following a dispute over a piece of land in Samadhiyala village.
“We have registered an FIR in connection with the double murders. Accused are on the run presently but efforts are being made to name them,” Haresh Dudhat, superintendent of police of Surendranagar told The Indian Express, adding, post mortem of the two Dalit brothers, identified as Aaljibhai Parmar (60) and Manoj (54), who were murdered on Wednesday evening was being done at a government hospital in Surendranagar town.
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/family-of-dalit-brothers-who-were-killed-over-land-dispute-sought-police-protection-gujarat-cong-8833844/
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