In the incident, around 18 locals belonging to Chamar community in the village had been severely thrashed and their houses vandalized by non-dalit locals following a month-long dispute over the use of a local temple in the village.
Stating that the authorities concerned were reluctant to take action against those involved in the attack, the struggle committee committee resorted to launching the indefinite relay hunger strike in Gaur, the district headquarters.
The agitating committee is in the third phase of its protest putting forward a nine-point demand before the government.
After the attack, the District Police Office had arrested Raj Dev Yadav, Chathu Yadav and Tej Narayan Yadav for their alleged involvement in the incident. “It is not that we have done nothing regarding the case. We have already filed attempted murder case against the arrested,” Superintendent of Police (SP) Gobinda Ram Pariyar said.
SP Pariyar further said the police are hunting for the other culprits who are absconding. “We will leave no stones unturned to provide justice to the victims,” he added.
After the incident, the non-dalits in the village have lately ostracized dalit locals. “It is almost impossible to eke out a living as they are refusing to give us any work,” bemoaned a local of the Chamar community.
Prior to the hunger strike, the dalit locals had picketed the District Administration Office and staged demonstration to pressure the government to heed their demands.
Nathuram Pariyar, coordinator of the joint struggle committee, said the relay hunger strike will continue until the government gives justice to the victims. He criticized the District Police Office for not cooperating with them in the protest against caste-discrimination and brutality.
“If the local authorities do not take action against the wrongdoers promptly, we will launch capital-centered stern protests,” he warned.
Likewise, a member of the struggle committee has alleged that the attackers have been receiving protection from various political parties.
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