Govt pays compensation of Rs 4.5 lakh to atrocity victim

Nagpur, Oct 12 (UNI) The State Government today paid a compensation of Rs 4.5 lakh to Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange of Khairlanji village in Bhandara district, whose wife and three children were lynched to death by a mob late last month.

Maharashtra Minister for Social Justice Chandrakant Handore handed over the cheque to Bhotmange in Khairlanji today. Bhotmange's wife Surekha (44), sons Roshan (23) and Sudhir (21), and daughter Priyanka (18) were done to death by a mob in the village late on the night of September 30.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Handore said this was a case of atrocity, and, therefore, compensation was paid as per the provisions of the Atrocity Act.

Mr Handore said a dispute over the right of passage through Bhotmange's five-acre field led to the shameful incident. The police have arrested 32 people in this connection so far, with three other suspects still absconding, the Minister said, adding that he had instructed the police not to harass any innocent persons.

In reply to a question, Mr Hanndore said the government would rehabilitate Bhotmange in Warthi, a nearby village, as per his request. The government would relocate ''Dalit'' families living in villages in Maharashtra if a request was made by the persons concerned, he said.

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