Gujarat: Dalit family attacked for praying at temple in Kutch

RAJKOT: Six members of a Dalit family, who were offering prayers at a temple’s installation ceremony in their village in Kutch, were allegedly attacked by a mob from upper caste communities.
A mob of 19 to 20 people attacked Govind Vaghela, a farmer who also runs a provision store at Ner village near Bhachau and his uncle Ganesh at their farm. Later, the mob allegedly even targeted his family members who were at home.
Upon learning that cows have damaged his crops, Vaghela and his uncle rushed to the farm and when no sooner they reached, a mob suddenly appeared from behind the bushes and attacked the duo. Vaghela told police that the attackers beat them with wooden sticks, pipes, axe and sickle and threatened to kill him and his family for turning up at the temple during the installation ceremony.
In the melee, one of the attackers also robbed Vaghela’s mobile phone and damaged his autorickshaw too.
The duo, however, managed to escape from the farm but after reaching some distance, duo collapsed. When Vaghela gained consciousness, he found himself was being taken to a government hospital in Bhachau.
After the attack on the duo at the farm, the mob went to Vaghela’s house and thrashed his father Jaga, mother Badhi, brother Bhura and cousin Hasmukh mercilessly. The four injured persons were also taken to government hospital in Bhachau from where all six victims were referred to Bhuj General Hospital.
Police said the family had offered prayers at the temple’s installation ceremony that was conducted from October 18 to 20. Two FIRs were registered — one of attempt to murder, rioting, assault, trespassing, criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation, and another under sections of Arms Act and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act — based on Vaghela and his father Jaga’s complaints.
In his complaint, Vaghela mentioned that the attackers were angry because they did not pay heed to the warning of not turning up at the temple and went there. “When we went to the temple, the attackers held a meeting wherein it was decided to set the bovines free on his farm and then attack our family,” Vaghela stated.
Offences have been registered against Kana Ahir, Rajesh Maraj, Dinesh Maraj, Kesra Rabari, Paba Rabari, Chauda Koli, Kana Sadur Koli, Sava Koli, Kana Raghu Koli, Momaya Koli, Rana Balsara, Hema Rabari, Naya Ahir, Arjan Rabari, Navgan Rabari, Bhanji Suthar and around four unidentified persons.
“Nine teams of cops have been formed for combing in the village and surrounding regions to nab the attackers,” said deputy superintendent of police K G Zala.