Bhatinda IG, DC summoned over chopping off of Dalits' limbs

National Commission for Scheduled Castes on Sunday summoned IGP Bhatinda zone, Deputy Commissioner Fazilka and SSP to appear before the vice chairman on Monday in connection with the incident in which limbs of two dalits were chopped off by the gang close to the ruling Akali Dal.

"National Commission for Scheduled Castes has issued notices to IGP Bhatinda zone, Deputy Commissioner Fazilka and SSP in connection with this case and they have been asked to appear before the commission on Monday afternoon in Abhohar. The commission has also directed the police authorities to arrest the people involved in the incident within three days failing which strict action will be taken against the official concerned," Dr Rajkumar Verka said.

Dr Verka said that the incident has shocked the entire dalit community which has alleged that efforts are being made to hushup the case as the people involved in the case are influential. He has assured the affected families that the Commission will take action against the people involved in the case.

According to the police, the dalit youths identified as Bheem Tak and Gurjant Singh alias Janta were working with Shivlal Doda, who is a liquor trader. They had some dispute with the rival trader who had called them for a compromise on Friday at Doda's farm house. The youths were taken hostage by the people present at the farm house. They chopped off Bheem's hands and feet. Another dalit Janta's one arm and foot were cut off brutally. The people involved in the incident fled after the crime. They were numbered between eitht to 10.

While Bheem Tak succumbed to his injures in the hospital, Gurjant Singh is battling for his life in the hospital.

The police has registered a case against 11 people including an Akali Dal leader Shivlal Doda and his nephew. No arrests have been made so far. Relatives of Bheem and Gurjant protested in Abhohar on Saurday. The administration has deployed police force in the town to control the situation.