Dalit's beating clip goes viral in Gujarat

Devbhoomi Dwarka (Gujarat), May 1: About a year and a half after the infamous Una Dalit flogging case, an assault on a Dalit villager in Saurashtra region of Gujarat went viral on social media on Tuesday, the Founding Day of the western state. In the video clipping, Devshibhai Roshiya of Surajkaradi village in Devbhoomi Dwarka district, can be seen lying on the ground and three persons beating him with sticks. He was later saved by the intervention of an elderly person.

Police identified the accused as a son of the victim’s neighbour Pir Khan Umarkhan Pathan and two of their relatives. The Pathan family lives opposite Devshibhai Roshiya’s house in Surajkaradi.

Police sources said an FIR was earlier registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against more than 20 members of the Pathan family, including women and children. When the accused came to know about the FIR the next morning, they caught hold of Devshibhai and thrashed him in front of his house.

A senior police officer of Devbhoomi Dwarka district said: “The incident occurred two days ago when the video clipping was recorded. The Local Crime Branch is searching for the three accused, who are neighbours of the victim. A Deputy Superintendent of Police is investigating. IANS