Caste-based violence flares up yet again in Haryana - Faridabad

The untoward incident in Ballabgarh area of Faridabad district where four members of a Dalit family, including two children, were set afire allegedly by the upper caste men on Tuesday has yet again brought to the fore the rising cases of caste-based violence in Haryana.

Narrating the incident, a local here said the entire village was away to attend a 'jagran' when the victim's house was set on fire and their escape route was blocked.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Bhupendra Kumar said necessary actions were taken to nab the accused.

The police have launched a hunt to nab the accused and a case has been registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Jitender, the victim, said this incident was borne out of an old rivalry.

"We were sleeping when some members of the Rajput caste sprayed petrol on our house and set it on fire," said Jitender, who sustained burn injuries only on his hands.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has condemned the incident and announced a financial assistance of Rs. 10 lakh.

"Strongly condemning incident taken place in Sunped, Faridabad -announced 10lakh interim financial assistance to members of bereaved families. Have also directed law enforcement agencies to find & take strict action against the accused in the shocking incident in Faridabad." Khattar said in a series of tweets.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has sought a report from Khattar on the incident and asked him to ensure that such untoward incidents do not take place in the future.

Ballabhgarh has a history of violence between the Dalits and Rajputs. Earlier in June this year, one person was killed and 12 others injured in a clash between the two castes.

The year 2011 saw merciless killing of Dalits by Jats in Mirchpur village in Narnaund, sub district of Hisar. A physically challenged girl and her septuagenarian Dalit father were charred to death by the Jat community. The houses of about 15 dalits were burnt down and the victims had to flee the village.

In April 2013, a 400-strong mob of the Ror community launched an attack on 150 Dalits, which caused around 200 Dalit families to flee the village of Pabnawa in Kaithal district. Their houses were looted and women humiliated. The reason of the attack was the marriage of a Dalit boy with a Ror community girl.

According to the Socio Economic Caste Census 2011, Haryana houses 22.89 percent Scheduled Castes (SC), while Faridabad has 19.93 percent SCs.



Source : ANI News , 20th Oct 2015