Dalits’ torture in Telangana: Villagers booked for torching sand-laden trucks get bail

The villagers reportedly torched four sand-laden trucks after a truck had killed a villager.
Dalits’ torture in Telangana: Villagers booked for torching sand-laden trucks get bail
Dalits’ torture in Telangana: Villagers booked for torching sand-laden trucks get bail
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The eight Dalit victims who were allegedly brutally tortured by police on charges of vandalism, procured bail on Tuesday evening.

The victims were arrested for reportedly torching four sand-laden trucks in Nerella on July 2, as per The Hindu report.

The arrest resulted in a major controversy after it came to light that the detainees were allegedly tortured and also verbally abused with casteist slurs.

This prompted opposition parties and several other rights’ activists to condemn the incident and book the police officials concerned under the SC/ST Atrocities Act.

National SC/ST Commission member Ramulu demanded the transfer of Rajanna Siricilla Superintendent of Police, SP Vishwajit and suspension of the Circle Inspector over the incident. He also appealed to the National SC/ST Commission to conduct an inquiry.

Following interaction with the villagers, Ramulu found contradictions in their version and the police report.

The entire controversy was triggered after a sand lorry hit and killed B Bhudaiah of Nerella village on July 2. This death, had sparked massive anger, as this was the fourth such death from nearby villages.

After the incident, police detained eight villagers (Dalits) from Nerella of Rajanna-Siricilla district for allegedly torching a sand-laden truck.

He also said that the victims were subjected to third-degree torture and demanded a job, ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh and three-acre land for each victim. 

Recently, former Lok Sabha Speaker and Congress leader, Meira Kumar, who has now become the face of Dalits from Congress, also visited and interacted with the victims in Karimnagar Jail.  

Meira Kumar said that she would raise the issue in Parliament and expressed disappointment at the TRS-led government.

She was accompanied by Telangana Congress Chief Uttam Kumar Reddy and several leaders. However, the party’s plan to have a huge meeting was foiled after police invoked Section 30 in the troubled Nerella village.

On Tuesday, BJP State President, K Laxman, demanded a probe by a sitting judge into the incident.

The party has already reported the incident to the National Human Rights Commission, he said, while adding that the brutal act of torturing the victims with electric shocks is a heinous crime, according to Deccan Chronicle.

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