Villagers say that irregularities in ration distribution were going on for a long time. No action was taken even after complaining.
Bhopal. The dispute over ration distribution in Bilhari village of Naugaon police station area of Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh escalated to such an extent that 19-year-old Dalit youth Pankaj Prajapati died due to firing, while his brother Ashish was injured. The incident took place at around 10 am on Sunday at the ration shop of the Gram Panchayat, which was being operated from the house of Advocate Praveen Pateria of the village. Videos of this shootout surfaced on Monday, in which the accused Praveen Pateria can be clearly seen firing from the roof. After the incident, there was huge outrage in the area. The family refused to get the post-mortem of the body done and blocked the road in front of the tehsil office. During the protest, a person tried to burn himself, who was saved by the police.
The dispute arising due to non-availability of ration became the reason for murder
The deceased Pankaj Prajapati and his brother Ashish had reached the ration shop of the village to get the ration pending for three months. There they had an altercation with the shop owner. When they came again with the family to get the ration, Praveen Pateria, Naveen Pateria and Ramsevak Arajaria abused and started beating them.
Praveen Pateria climbed on the roof of his house and fired a shot from there. A bullet hit Pankaj’s thigh, he was immediately referred to Gwalior Hospital, but he died on the way. At the same time, the bullet also grazed Ashish, who was discharged after first aid.
People came out on the road, refused to keep the dead body, tried to self-immolate
The family members and villagers, angry with the incident, reached Naugaon Hospital on Monday morning and refused to get the post-mortem of the dead body done. After this, everyone gathered in front of the tehsil office and blocked the road. During this, a person tried to commit self-immolation by pouring petrol, who was saved by the police in time.
Anger over initial negligence, later case registered under murder and SC-ST Act
Initially, the police registered a case against only one accused under minor sections, which further increased the anger. After about five hours of protest, the police registered an FIR against the three accused – Praveen Pateria, Naveen Pateria and Ramsevak Arjaria – under serious sections of murder, conspiracy and SC-ST Act.
The police have registered a case under BNS (Indian Penal Code) 115(2), 109(1), 296, 3(5), conspiracy, breach of social harmony SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) 3(1)(d), 3(1)(dh), 3(2)(v), 3(2)(va), murderous attack and harassment on Scheduled Caste, Arms Act 25-27, firing with illegal weapon.
Additional SP Vidita Dangar said that a police team has been formed to arrest the accused, they will be caught soon.
Dalit demanded his rights, he was shot: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi reacted sharply to the incident. Describing the BJP government as anti-Dalit, he said, “When a Dalit youth demanded his rights, he was shot. First FIR was not lodged and then postmortem was also postponed. Demanding justice has also become a crime under BJP rule. The culprits should be arrested immediately and given strict punishment.”
Ration was not being given for three months
The villagers say that the rigging in ration distribution was going on for a long time. No action was taken even after complaining. According to the deceased family, they were not being given ration for three months and when they raised their voice, they were attacked.
Tension in the village, police deployed
After the incident, there is a lot of tension in the village. In view of the situation, police force of many police stations has been deployed in the village. The family is still adamant on the demand for the arrest of the accused.
In a conversation with The Mooknayak, Scheduled Caste Congress state president Pradeep Ahirwar attacked the state government. He said that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s government has completely failed to stop the atrocities on Dalits. He alleged that the government is only doing politics of events and show-off, while at the ground level injustice and violence against the Dalit community is continuously increasing.
Courtesy: Ankit Pachauri, Hindi News