Haryana and Punjab shutdown: Dalit Org

Gohana (Haryana), Aug 29: Adi Dharam Samaj, a Dalit organisation gave a call for state-wide shutdown of Haryana and Punjab today to protest against the killing of Dalit leader Rakesh alias Lara.

Rakesh was shot dead on Monday night in Gohana town of Haryana"s Sonepat District by three unidentified men, and was one of the main accused in the 2005 Baljeet Siwach murder case.

The murder triggered protests as people blocked traffic on the Sonepat-Jind highway.

The incident led to skirmish with protestors pelting stones at cops. The Dalits went on rampage last night torching a police check-post and damaging several buses parked at Gohana bus stand.

The police used force to disperse the angry mob. Many policemen were also injured in the struggle.

After the caste violence, prohibitory orders have been imposed to avoid any untoward incident in the area.

Additional Director General Police (law and order) V B Singh said the town has been divided into eight sectors and duty magistrates appointed in each sector. Eight companies of police have also been deputed in the area.

He said that Rakesh"s killers would be arrested soon and three persons have already been detailed for interrogation.

Dalits alleged that police had prior information that Rakesh would be targeted, but had done nothing for his protection.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) said it would keep an eye on the investigations to ensure a fair probe by the authorities into the death of the Dalit youth.

"We have conveyed to the District Magistrate of the area that the commission would keep an eye on the investigations carried out by the administrative authorities. If any sort of discrepancies are found then it would be forced to rope in CBI, to ensure no injustice is done," said Buta Singh, chairman of NCSC.

Three armed men fired six bullets on Lara, killing him on the spot near a school at around 10 pm on Monday. The assailants fled from the spot after killing the Dalit leader.

Lara was rushed to the hospital, but he died on the way.

Lara, the main accused in the murder of Baljeet Siwach, was later acquitted by the CBI court. Baljeet Siwach"s murder on August 26, 2005 had led to arson attack and burning of over 100 Dalit houses in Gohana.

ANI
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