Four days after Dalit-police clash, Faridkot village still tense

Tension continues to prevail at Chandbhan village in Faridkot district even four days after a violent clash between members of the Dalit community and the police. The confrontation, which erupted on February 5 over a water drainage dispute, has led…

Article_Author Balwant Garg

Tension continues to prevail at Chandbhan village in Faridkot district even four days after a violent clash between members of the Dalit community and the police. The confrontation, which erupted on February 5 over a water drainage dispute, has led to widespread protests and growing outrage against the police.

The problem began after demonstrators blocked the Bathinda-Kotkapura road, demanding a resolution to the dispute. The protest turned violent when the police attempted to disperse the crowd, leading to allegations that protesters pelted officers with stones, injuring many of them.

Following the clash, the police arrested 39 protesters and registered criminal cases against 91 individuals, including village Sarpanch Amandeep Kaur and her husband Kuldeep Singh, on the charges of robbery, vandalism, assaulting police officers and damaging public property.

Most of the arrested individuals belong to the Dalit community and there are allegations that the police entered houses of protesters, beat up family members and vandalised their belongings.

While the police have denied these accusations, a video on social media has intensified the controversy. The video reportedly shows members of the opposing faction firing shots in the air and throwing stones at protesters in the presence of police.

After the emergence of that video, several social and Dalit organisations have accused the police of favouring one faction. In response to mounting pressure, the Faridkot police on Saturday registered a case against an individual for firing shots on February 5.

Angered by the police response, various Dalit and employee unions have announced to gherao the SSP office on February 10.

At a meeting by organisations such as the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, Pendu Mazdoor Union, Naujawan Bharat Sabha and the Kirti Kisan Union, an action committee was formed to protest against the police’s alleged bias and brutality. Women and children from affected families also participated in the meeting, accusing the police of oppression and demanding justice.

Faridkot SSP Dr Pragya Jain denied allegations of bias and brutality. She said the police had taken action against all those who violated the law and attacked the police.

Courtesy : The Tribune

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