Mansa Akali sarpanch assaults Dalit leader for slamming state govt

Tribune News Service

Mansa, June 2

Annoyed over the criticism of the SAD government, the Akali sarpanch of Bodawal village in this district assaulted Dalit leader and Mazdur Mukti Morcha state president Bhagwant Smao on Thursday, leaving him injured.

Smao was in the village to motivate labourers for the proposed Lalkar rally on June 10 against the state government for its alleged failure to meet the demands of labourers, including giving possession of five-marla plots and the compensation for loss of labour due to cotton crop damaged last year.

Sarpanch Surat Singh claimed that Smao was criticising the village panchayat and state government and making false promises with MNREGA labourers to get them money for construction on plots.

Budhlada (Sadar) SHO Makhan Singh claimed that no case had been registered as the victim was unfit to give a statement. Police said the preliminary investigation showed that the Dalit leader was instigating labourers against the state government.