Two Dalits beaten for ‘stealing’ cocks in Andhra Pradesh

ELURU: Two Dalit youths were tied to a tree and beaten up at Ganapavari Gudem in Linga Palem mandal of West Godavari district for allegedly stealing cocks. Police have booked cases against four persons under the SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act and other sections of the IPC. A special team has been formed to nab the accused.

Chintalpudi police inspector Malleswara Rao said four youths from Jaggavaram in T Narsapuram mandal were going on their bikes when they stopped at a shop beside the main road near Ganapavari Gudem.

One of the youths allegedly tried to take a petrol bottle from the shop.

The woman manning the shop shouted at them and the war of words drew people from surrounding areas to the shop. While two of the youths managed to escape, the other two — Praveen and Santosh — were tied to a tree and beaten up.

The locals alleged that they had stolen cocks from the village. As the accused were from the upper caste, police have booked them under the SC/ST Atrocities Act.

Credit: TOI