Dalit sarpanch ‘beaten’ for sharing dais with MP CM

BHOPAL: Sharing dais with chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan proved costly for a dalit sarpanch who was allegedly beaten by upper caste members in Tikamgarh district of Bundelkhand on Friday.
The incident took place during Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan when sarpanch Alakh Prasad Valmiki was allegedly thrashed along with panchayat secretary Brij Kishore Rai by upper caste men and nodal officer Suresh Ahirwar, who was also attending the function at Poochikarguan village, 100km from Tikamgarh district headquarter.
A day before this incident, the sarpanch had welcomed the chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at gram sansad programme.
In a written complaint at Sendri police station, Valmiki named six persons of the village for the assault. He alleged they also hurled castiest remarks at him.
Panchayat secretary alleged, “Anand Nayak, Anurag Nayak, Harishchandra Nayak, Suresh Ahirwar and Anand Nayak were among others who not only assaulted them, but also tore panchayat documents in public view. This was done when gram sabha meeting was on.”
Meanwhile, nodal officer has lodged a separate complaint against the sarpanch and others.
Sendri police station in charge Subodh Mishra said, “We are conducting investigations after receiving the complaints. Action will be initiated depending on outcome of probe.”