CPI(M) demands action against police in Bhandara incident

Mumbai, Apr 11 (UNI) The Maharashtra Communist Party of India (Marxist) today demanded strict action against the suspects involved in the alleged burning of a Dalit woman in Pachgaon village of Bhandara district, and desecration of Dr Babasaheb Ambedker's statue in Jalna.

''We strongly condemn these twin incidents, which have taken place just around Ambedker Jayanti, and demand immediate action against all those who are involved in such heinous crime,'' CPI(M)'s state secretary Dr Ashok Dhawale said in a statement.

''As far as Jalna incident is concerned, we strongly feel that this is part of the sustained campaign unleashed by the communal forces to destroy the social fabric of the area. We feel that all peace-loving people should come together and resist any such attempts,'' he said.

A Dalit woman, Indubhai Tandekar, was allegedly set ablaze by an upper caste man in Pachgaon village of Mohadi tehsil, about 12 km from Khairlanji, in Bhandara district on Saturday. The main accused, Babulal Bhagat, later escaped from the village.

According to Dr Dhawale, a delegation comprising members from the CPI(M)'s state committee, All India Democratic Women Association (AIDWA) and Khairlanji Action Committee visited the spot and met the citizens as well as the DSP, Bhandara today.

''After talking to the citizens, the delegation found that the police swung into action quite late, and allowed the culprit to escape from the village,'' Mr Dhawale added in the statement.

The alleged desecration of Ambedkar's statue at Kanhaiya Nagar in Jalna city yesterday had sparked demonstrations, leading to police firing to disperse the protestors. Three people suffered injuries in the police firing and curfew was imposed in the area.

UNI