Sensing the fury of Dalits over the thrashing of members of the community in Una, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel reached out to the families of victims, assuring the community of justice.

On Wednesday, the Chief Minister visited the spot of the incident after more than a dozen Dalit youth from different parts of Saurashtra attempted suicide by consuming poisonous liquid. She was accompanied by Dalit leader and Minister for Social Justice Ramanbhai Vora, local MLA and Minister of State Jashabhai Barad and Parliamentary Secretary Jethabhai Solanki.

“My government is committed to bring justice for the victims. It (the incident) was an inhuman act and unacceptable in any society. We have assured them (the victims) of fast justice, and strict punishment for those responsible,” Anandiben said after visiting the families in Mota Samadhiyala vill-age of Una Taluka in Gir-Somnath district. The CMvisited youth who had attempted suicide, at a Rajkot hospital and assured them of safety and security of the Dalit community.

Rahul, Kejriwal due in Una

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Una on Thursday morning, while Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is due on Friday.

Protests across the State

Meanwhile, furious mobs protested in hundreds in different towns of Saurashtra and parts of northern and central Gujarat, amid a State-wide bandh call given by Dalit groups supported by Mayawati’s party Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Although the bandh call evoked a mixed response in Ahmedabad, Patan, Mehsana, Vadodara and Surat, witnessing sporadic violence, towns in Saurashtra including Rajkot, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar and Gondal remained tense as hundreds took to the streets and resorted to vandalism and arson. Schools and markets remained closed in most parts.

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