Four Dalits injured in attack

Vijayawada: Four Dalits, including a woman, were seriously hurt and 25 others suffered injuries in an attack on them by an upper caste group which was trying to dig aqua farms close to Dalits’ residences at Dondapadu of Gudivada rural mandal in Krishna district on Saturday night.

The victims were identified as DR Srinivas, Anil, Koteswara Rao and Elizabeth. The group allegedly belonging to the ruling party made an attempt to occupy the land a few days ago, but in vain. They again came with a poclainer and other equipment to dig the prawn ponds and beat Dalits black and blue when they prevented them. The injured have been admitted to GGH here.

The Congress and the CPM condemned the attack. The Congress demanded that the government book the culprits under SC/ST Atrocities Act. CPM senior leader Ch Babu Rao along with leaders of other parties and people’s organisations visited GGH and consoled the victims. They also demanded cases against the attackers.