Dispute over drinking water from a pot at a wedding in Haldwani: Two Dalit brothers were attacked with lethal force, action under the SC/ST Act demanded, and the Kathgodam police are investigating.
Uttarakhand: A shocking incident has come to light during a wedding ceremony in Haldwani. Two Dalit brothers were severely beaten following a dispute over drinking water from a pot. It is alleged that they were assaulted and subjected to caste-based abuse.
One of the brothers has filed a police complaint regarding this incident. However, the police have not yet filed an FIR in the matter. They say they are investigating the matter thoroughly.
According to the Indian Express report, complainant Umesh Tamta stated that he, his brother Shubham, and relatives Rakesh Arya and Ajay Arya had gone to a wedding in Deval Malla village on Sunday night. They had been assigned to operate the DJ system there.
The dispute began when Rakesh Arya went to drink water from a pot. It is alleged that the groom’s family members targeted him. They asked Rakesh what he was doing there and then slapped him.
When Rakesh told Shubham about this, Shubham went to protest. Shubham slapped a young man. In response, the young man gathered his uncle and friends. They then attacked Shubham and hurled casteist abuses at him.
It is alleged that Shubham was severely kicked in the face and body. When Umesh Tamta learned of the assault, he also arrived at the scene and was attacked with a rod or sharp weapon on his head.
Umesh stated that when he asked the attackers why his brother was being beaten, they replied that Shubham had hit him. Umesh’s head was bleeding, and then one of the men tried to strangle him.
According to Umesh, he was begging for his life and felt like he was breathing his last. Then someone intervened and stopped the attackers. Umesh alleged that he was constantly subjected to caste-based abuse throughout the assault.
According to the family, Umesh suffered a serious head injury, while Shubham suffered a spinal fracture. Both brothers have been admitted to a private hospital in the city. The complaint demands strict action under sections of attempt to murder and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Following the incident, local residents and Tamta’s family protested outside the police station, demanding the immediate arrest of those involved.
On the other hand, the police say the other party has also filed a counter-complaint. This cross-complaint claims that their mother was also injured in the attack.
Kathgodam police station has taken action and detained four people under Section 172 of the BNSS. Police officials say they have recorded statements from both parties. Efforts are now underway to determine the true cause of the dispute and whether the violence was truly caste-based.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy: Hindi News