Violent Protests In Gujarat Over Dalit Men Being Beaten By 'Cow Protectors'

Violent protests have erupted in Gujarat's Saurashtra region against the thrashing of four Dalit men by a self-styled vigilante group last week on allegations of cow slaughter in Una town.

The angry community members pelted stones, torched buses and held rallies across the region to protest against the incident. The police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the demonstrators.

Last week, four young men were stripped, tied to a car and thrashed by a cow vigilante group in Gujarat. Three of the attackers were arrested after footage of the assault, which they had uploaded online as a warning, went viral.

Meanwhile, seven Dalit men attempted suicide by consuming poisonous substance on Monday against the alleged atrocities by upper caste men. Officials said five of them were from Gondal taluka town and two from Jamkandorana in Rajkot district.

Though they were rushed to the Civil Hospital in Gondal, a large number of people who had gathered there entered into arguments with the police.

The community members staged demonstrations outside the District Collector's office demanding swift action against those involved in atrocities against the community. They also threatened to stop carrying away dead animals from villages and towns, which they traditionally did.

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has ordered a CID probe into the alleged assault on Dalit community members and also announced to set up a special court for "speedy" trial of the case.

"The probe into the Una Dalits thrashing case has been handed over to CID (Crime). Also a special designated court will be set up for speedy trial of the case," an official statement listing the orders given by the Chief Minister said.

Terming the incident as "unfortunate", she also ordered appointment of a special public prosecutor, who will be required to submit the charge-sheet within sixty days, it said.

In addition, Patel announced that the state government will bear all the medical expenses of the seven Dalit youths, who were injured in this incident and are undergoing treatment at various government hospitals in Una, Junagadh and Rajkot.

"Rs. one lakh each has been given to the victims as compensation," it said.