Bodies of missing Dalits dug out in UP

The poor law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh was exposed once again, when the police found the bodies of four ‘kidnapped’ Dalit farmers at Gammanpura village in Moradabad district of the state.

Vijay, Suraj and Jasbir who are siblings and their neighbour M Kumar were allegedly kidnapped from their agricultural land at Gammanpura a few days back and when the police failed to trace them, their family members staged several demonstrations.

As the news spread, BSP chief Mayawati sent Nasimuddin Siddiqui and other senior party leaders to Moradabad to meet the families of the four men.

It was only then that the police started acting on the complaints of kidnapping of the four farmers, hailing from very poor economic background. 

Based on a tip-off, the police dug up the ground late on Tuesday and found the bodies of all the four. It seems the farmers were strangulated and attacked with blunt weapons.

The police have arrested three persons in connection with the deaths so far, but are yet to establish the motive behind it.

They said Asif, one of the arrested, had a verbal duel with a group of Scheduled Caste people, but not with the victims.

According to preliminary investigation, the villagers had reprimanded Asif and others for indulging in eve-teasing and that could have led to a retaliationMeanwhile, in a bid to quell the protests, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced `3 lakh compensation to the family the deceased.

But the locals have refused to withdraw their stir as only three of the eight suspects have been arrested.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com