Don’t politicise dalit killings: Haryana CM
A day after the Haryana government ordered a CBI probe into the killing of two Dalit children, who were allegedly burnt alive by upper- caste perpetrators, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday visited the victims’ family and urged politicians and leaders not to give the incident a “political or casteist colour.’’
While the Opposition charge, led by Congress vice- president Rahul Gandhi has accused the Prime Minister, Haryana CM, the BJP and RSS of practicising “politics of crushing” the weak responsible for such incidents, the CM said the incident appears to be “fallout of a long- standing family feud’’ rather than a “caste related dispute’’.
Mr Khattar had avoided the visit following protests by angry locals. However, on Thursday, he visited the family and handed over a cheque of 10 lakh to the aggrieved family.
Meanwhile, three more persons were on Thursday arrested for their alleged role in the incident, taking the total number of arrests in the case to seven while four accused are still at large. “Seven people, out of total 11 named by the family, have been arrested so far. We are hopeful to nab other culprits soon,” said police commissioner Subhash Yadav.
In New Delhi, Union home minister Rajnath Singh appealed people to maintain peace and harmony in the country saying there is no place for criminal activi- ty. “I appeal to the citizens to maintain calm, peace and harmony and contribute to strengthening this great nation.” I reiterate the stand of government of no tolerance of any criminal activity. Law enforcing agencies must act accordingly,” he said. Singh’s appeal comes in the wake of several incidents of violence over allegation of cow slaughter, desecration of holy books and attacks on Dalits in different parts of the country.
“Unity in diversity is the much celebrated value of our ancient culture,” Mr Singh said in his Vijayadashmi greetings.
During his visit to Sunped village, Mr Khattar met the victim’s family as well as the relatives of the accused.
“We want that the investigation is done properly. But with great regret, I have to say that some parties are trying to politicise this incident... It should not be given a political or casteist colour” the CM said.
He said that family’s demand of CBI probe has been met and if there is any laxity on part of police, they will also not be spared.
“So far, what has emerged from the investigation is that the matter is not a caste- related dispute but appears to be fallout of a long- standing family feud,” he told reporters.
“I have been monitoring this case since the very beginning and when allegations came up against police officials a Special Investigation Team ( SIT) was formed. Later, the case was handed over to the CBI following the request of victims’ relatives,” he added.
“The family has so far named 11 persons as perpetrators out of which 6 have been arrested and on the basis of their complaint, seven police officials have also been suspended,” the chief minister told the media here.