Mob lynches Dalit gram panchayat chief in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Jan 11 (UNI) A Dalit Sarpanch, who was an elected chief of the gram panchayat, was lynched and his house was set ablaze by a mob in a caste conflict that left 10 people injured at village Niwari, about 80 kms from here, in this district of Chhattisgarh.

Police said Sarpanch Bholaram, belonging to the scheduled caste Satmani community, was beaten to death during a clash between two caste groups. The irate mob also set ablaze the house and motorcycle.

Tension cropped up in the village last night over organising 'Nacha', a traditional dance ritual, in the village.

After protest from one group, the programme was organised under police protection.

Trouble began this morning after Sarpanch Bholaram was attacked by a group of people, alleging that he was trying to create trouble over yesterday's dispute. Ten people belonging to both groups were injured in the clash.

Director General of Police Vishwaranjan said no arrests had been made so far but few people were detained. He did not confirm whether the incident had anything to do with caste conflict saying that a detailed report from local police was still awaited.

UNI JJ SP PB RN1655