Mob goes on rampage after dalit's murder

RAJKOT: Police lobbed teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge after two communities went on a rampage in Thorala on Monday following murder of a dalit man.

Tension has been prevailing in the area since last four days after a group of Bharwad and dalit communities came face to face following some dispute. Police arrested Gunubhai Rathod (40), a resident of Ambedkarnagar, in connection with the dispute. He was, however, released on bail later.

On Sunday afternoon, Rathod was on his way from Vijaynagar to hand over money to some persons when he was intercepted by Hitesh Mundhva, Gaurav Mundhva, Jagdish Bakali, Kamil Odiya, Altaf, Imu among others. They brutally attacked him. Rathod was seriously injured and rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

As soon as the news about his murder spread, the mob belonging to schedule castes went on rampage in the area and set some houses on fire, including those of the accused. The mob also stopped a state transport bus in Ambedkarnagar and pelted stones on it.

Three policemen sustained minor injuries in the stone-pelting. Members of deceased' family also sat on fast demanding immediate arrest of the accused persons.

On Monday morning, Rathod's funeral procession was carried out amid heavy police bandobast in the area. Some people tried to create trouble, but police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control. Police also lobbed 12 teargas shells to quell the irate mob. Police have detained 57 persons for rioting.

Police inspector, Thorala, A B Shrivastava told TOI: "On June 16, some dalits attacked a Muslim woman's house in the area. Rathod was one of the persons named in her complaint. He was arrested on June 19 and released on bail on Sunday."

Rathod met Imu at Vijaynagar and a verbal altercation ensued between them after which the latter stabbed him. Deceased's brother Lala Rathod filed a complaint against nine persons late on Sunday night.

[Courtesy: TOI, June 25, 2012]