Dalits released on bail after a month

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 7

A number of Dalits of Hamirgarh village, who were arrested and lodged in jail for more than a month, were released on bail on Saturday night.

Demanding unconditional release and cancellation of cases against the arrested Dalits, the Dalit Mazdoor Union has been protesting against the arrest of these since the day the police had arrested them.

These were lodged in jail on May 1 during a clash between police and Dalits who were protesting to gain control over a piece of land measuring up to 1 acre at Hamirgarh village.

They were demanding possession of a piece of panchayati land for social obligations but the police resorted to lathicharge and teargas shells leaving many labourers, including women injured and hospitalised. Dalits then had also claimed that the police fired in air but, however, the police denied any firing and claimed that Dalits resorted to stone pelting.

Over 50 Dalits were booked under various sections of Indian Penal Code, including the murder charges as the police accused them of pelting stones during their agitation to get possession over one acre of panchayati land.

A number of politicians and leaders had also condemned the incident and the alleged atrocities done on Dalits.

Dehati Mazdoor Union state president Mahipal said, "A number of Dalits are still undergoing treatment. About 15 women were injured and are still hospitalised. The police cane-charged all the Dalits who were protesting peacefully on behest of village panchayat and those who don't want to get the possession over the land for social obligations. The police have wrongly booked all Dalits of this village under sections of murder. On Saturday they were all out on bail from Bathinda jail."