The victim, a Dalit youth, sustained serious injuries in the attack. With the help of his family and local residents, he was immediately admitted to the district hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
The Azad Samaj Party and Congress have criticized the government.
Bhopal: Outrage has spread in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, after a case of brutal assault on a Dalit youth came to light. The incident reportedly took place in front of Punjab National Bank in the City Kotwali police station area, where the youth was thrown to the ground and beaten with shoes and kicks. CCTV footage of the entire incident surfaced on Monday, raising several questions about police action and law and order.
The CCTV video clearly shows the youth being pushed to the ground, after which the attackers repeatedly strike his face with shoes and kicks. The attackers are also seen stomping on the youth’s face in the video, which gives an idea of the brutality of the assault. Onlookers stood by and watched, and no one dared to intervene.
Admitted to district hospital in serious condition
The victim, a Dalit youth, sustained serious injuries in the attack. With the help of his family and local residents, he was immediately admitted to the district hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. According to doctors, the youth has suffered deep injuries to his face and other parts of his body and will be kept under observation for some time.
Two-day-old case, accused sent to jail
Speaking to The Mooknayak, City Kotwali police station in-charge Arvind Singh Dangi said that the incident took place on December 20, two days ago. Upon receiving information about the incident, the police immediately took action and arrested the main accused and produced him in court, from where he was sent to jail.
He said that the CCTV footage related to the incident has now surfaced two days later, and the entire case is being investigated again in detail based on this footage. If the involvement of other people comes to light during the investigation, strict action will be taken against them as per the rules. Pressure mounts after footage surfaces
After the CCTV video was made public, pressure has increased on the police to take impartial and strict action. Social organizations and members of the Dalit community have alleged that if the video had not surfaced, the seriousness of the case might have been downplayed. People are demanding that other people involved in the incident be identified and strict action be taken against them under relevant sections of the law.
Demand for action under SC/ST Act
Since the incident involved a Dalit youth, social activists have demanded strict action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. They say that this is not just a case of assault, but a case of caste-based violence, which should not be taken lightly.
In a conversation with The Mooknayak, Azad Samaj Party leader Sunil Asteya said that under BJP rule, Dalits are being continuously targeted and brutally beaten. He said that incidents of violence against Dalits have increased in the state, but the government seems completely
unable to stop them. He demanded that the culprits in this case be given the harshest possible punishment so that such incidents do not recur in the future.
He further added that if the government fails to stop the atrocities against Dalits, the Bhim Army and the Azad Samaj Party will be forced to take to the streets. Sunil Asteya warned that the organization will fight at every level for the respect and safety of the Dalit community and will not remain silent against injustice.
Police claim investigation is ongoing
The police say that the entire incident is being re-investigated based on the CCTV footage. If other people are also found to be involved in this attack, legal action will be taken against them as well. The police are also looking into whether there was any old dispute behind the incident or whether it is a case of caste-based hatred.
Such an incident occurring in a busy area of the city, in front of a bank, raises serious questions about law and order. This daylight assault has increased the feeling of insecurity among the general public. Local citizens say that swift and strict action on such incidents can deter criminals in the future.
Currently, the victim is admitted to the hospital and the police investigation is ongoing. After the CCTV footage surfaced, this case has now become more than just an incident of assault; it has become a serious question concerning the safety and justice of Dalits.
In a conversation with The Mooknayak, Pradeep Ahirwar, former member of the State Scheduled Castes Commission and State President of the SC Congress, said that incidents of atrocities against Dalits are continuously increasing in Madhya Pradesh. Every day, reports of assault, humiliation, and violence against Dalit youth are emerging from somewhere or the other, but the government is failing to stop them. He said that despite the existence of laws, they are not being properly implemented at the ground level.
He further added that such incidents are creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity in the Dalit community. The government is only limited to making statements, while what is needed is strict action and swift justice. Pradeep Ahirwar demanded that strict action be taken against the culprits and that the victims be provided with security and justice, so that faith in the law is maintained in society.
Ankit Pachauri
Courtesy: Hindi News