M A I N   N E W S

Several injured in clash
Satish Seth

Kaithal, February 11
In a bloody clash between dalits and members of the upper caste community at Harsola village of this district this afternoon dozens of men and women suffered injuries and a large number of dalits, including women and children, fled from the village and took shelter outside the residence of the Deputy Commissioner here today. According to the Harijans they were making preparations for the celebrations of Ravidas Jayanti and had organised a meeting at Harijan chaupal a few days ago. However certain members of the Jat community tried to disturb their programme following which there was an exchange of words between members of the two communities.

Though the tension between the two communities was brewing for the past couple of days but the situation took an ugly turn today when a police party on receiving information reached there and called both parties to reach a compromise and not to disturb the peace. However, the matter could not be settled.

As the police party, including a DSP and incharge, Titram police post, were about to leave the village postponing the meeting between the two factions to 3 p.m., there was brickbatting from one side. Thereafter a free-for-all broke out and members of the Jat community allegedly attacked the houses and a few shops of the members of the dalit community, injuring a number of persons, including women.

Members of the dalit community alleged that a number of men, women and children who had taken shelter inside their houses were beaten by breaking open the doors following which about 400 dalits, including women and children, left the village for Kaithal on foot. Some of the injured and their family members reached the hospital while a group comprising a large number of dalit men, women and children reached the camp office-cum-residence of the Deputy Commissioner here, who was out of station. On the way they raised slogans against the police and tried to obstruct traffic outside the local bus stand here.

Meanwhile the SDM, Guhla, who reached this place, listened to the grievances of the dalits and assured them of proper action and protection.

In the Civil Hospital here Lado, a 75-year-old woman, Gyano (52), Jile Singh (80), Soran Singh (70), Randhir (25), Phula Ram (85), Randir (30), Murti (42), Jagdish (30), who had suffered injuries, narrated their tale of woe and said members of the dominating community attacked them without any provocation, looted their houses and damaged their household goods. Chajjo, a dalit woman, said a mob attacked the shop of her son Anil who was an RMP, and threw his medicines out of the shop. Sixteen-year-old Rani alleged that she and her brother were beaten by the assailants. 80-year-old Jila, who had an eye operation recently, alleged that he was beaten when he was lying on a cot in his house.

On the other hand dozens of members of the Jat community who called on the SP, Mr A.S. Chawla alleged that the provocation was from the members of the dalit community as they threw brickbats on members of their community following which their was a clash and persons from both sides suffered injuries. They were demanding action against the members of the dalit community who they alleged were responsible for the violence. Mr A.S. Chawla confirmed that according to his information seven members of the dalit community and six members of the dominating community were injured in the clash. He confirmed that on receiving complaints ASI Sumer Chand incharge police post, Titram, had been ordered to report for duty at the police lines and said that the DSP, headquarters, had been asked to make an enquiry in the case. He said efforts were on for a compromise between members of the two communities so that the dalits could return to the village. He said he had ordered deployment of police force at Harsola village.