In a shocking incident, a “pradhan” (village panchayat chief) and his supporters allegedly stuffed human excreta into the mouth of a Dalit youth in Uttar Pradesh’s Lalitpur district.
According to a complaint registered with the police, the culprits, residents of Mailwara Khurd village in the district, also thrashed the youth and threatened him with dire consequences if he dared to approach the police.
Police sources said that the youth had approached Chaliraja, the “pradhan” of the village on Thursday last and had sought funds for the construction of a lavatory near the homes of Dalits so that they could use them and did not have to defecate in the open.
As the youth continued to insist despite his pleas being summarily rejected, the “pradhan” and his supporters grew angry and began to thrash him, reports said.
They later stuffed the youth’s mouth with human excreta and let him go away with a warning against approaching the police.
The “humiliated” youth, however, gathered courage and along with a large number of the villagers approached the police officials and a report was lodged at Kotwali police station, sources said. The local BSP legislators Ramesh Kushwaha and Pheranlal Ahirwar also met the District Police Chief with the victim and urged him to take stern action against the culprits.
On rise
The two BSP leaders alleged that the incidents of atrocities on the dalits have been on the rise ever since the Samajwadi Party (SP) was formed in the state. They also said that they will raise the matter in the state Assembly during its forthcoming session. Four people, including the “pradhan,” have been named by the victim. All the four have been absconding and a massive manhunt has been launched to nab them. Special police teams have been formed and raids are being conducted at different places.