AHMEDABAD /
Dalits all over Gujarat continued their protests against assault on the community members over alleged skinning of a cow. One Dalit protester committed suicide while a police constable was killed in clashes with a mob. Another six Dalit protesters survived suicide attempts as police took them to hospital.
Violent mobs took to the streets and set ablaze state transport buses in Rajkot, Dhoraji and other towns of Saurashtra. In Surendranagar, a truckload of cow carcasses were dumped outside the collector’s office.
Protests were held different parts of the state condemning the attacks on the Dalits. Several incidents of violence were reported.
Dalit panthers gave a call of state wide Bandh today. Chief Minister Anandiben Patel yesterday appealed to the people of Gujarat and particularly the Dalit community members to maintain peace while assuring that the guilty would be punished.
Unrest started in the state last week after dalit youth were brutally beaten in Una after allegedly skinning a cow. Protest led to two deaths in Saurashtra on Tuesday. One protester was reported to have committed suicide over the episode, while a head constable was killed in clashes between a mob and police.
In Amreli, a Dalit rally turned violent when some miscreants began pelting stones at policemen who tried to stop them from ransacking shops. Head constable Pankaj Amreliya (40) was among five cops injured, and died during treatment.
“We had to resort to lathicharge. Four protesters also sustained injuries,” Amreli SP Jagdish Patel said. The situation was extremely volatile in most parts of Amreli, Gir-Somnath, Junagadh, Porbandar and Rajkot as protesters went on a rampage, damaging 15 state transport buses, and blocking highways.
Police detain members of Dalit Community who were staging a protest in Ahmedabad on Tuesday against the assault on dalit members by cow protectors in Rajkot district, Gujarat.Police detain members of Dalit Community who were staging a protest in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
Meawhile Promising strict action in the Una case, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel announced she would visit Balu Sarvaiya and his family members who were brutally assaulted by a Gau Raksha group and are now being treated at the Rajkot civil hospital.
In the first of a series of tweets, the Chief Minister said: “Seven more arrested in Una case, total 16 accused held till now. State govt is taking strict action against all accused.”
Congress MP Ahmed Patel, appealing for peace, tweeted: “Failure of authorities to protect Dalits in Gujarat is absolutely shocking. Is it the Gujarat Model? Independent probe is need of the hour”.
Gujarat Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel has also backed the protesting Dalits. According to reports he said Dalits have faced exploitation and their demands are justified. Released after nine months in jail, Patel has to remain outside Gujarat for six months on court orders.
The RSS too stepped in, condemning the attack on Dalits as “an attack on the entire Hindu community which believes in peace and amity”.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders demanded a probe by a sitting high court judge into Una incident. In the wake of the situation, the state road transport department today suspended bus services from Porbandar and other parts as protesters continued to block roads. Nine persons have been arrested so far in connection with the assault on Dalits, while three policemen have been suspended for dereliction of duty.