Mah Govt to withdraw cases against offenders in Khairlanji

Mumbai, Oct 15 (UNI) The Maharashtra Government has decided to withdraw cases of rioting in the aftermath of the murder of a Dalit family at village Khairlanji in the Vidarbha region of the state last year.

The decision was taken after a group of RPI leaders, led by Lok Sabha MP Ramdas Athavale and a local group in the Vidarbha region, called on Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil here today.

Mr Athavale said about 10,000 cases of rioting and arson have been filed against people for protesting against the killings, but no action has been taken to bring the culprits to book.

Mr Patil said ''Cases would be withdrawn against those who are first time offenders.'' Mr Athavale added that the protests was spontaneous reaction of the local people and no political parties were involved in that.

UNI