CBI probe sought after four killed in R'than clashes

As police arrest a man in connection with the Rajasthan group clash, People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) alleged atrocities against the dalits and demanded CBI probe into the incident.

The man was arrested on Saturday after the clash that left 4 persons dead and seven others injured in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district.

“One of the accused identified as Ramkumar was arrested on Saturday while others are being searched,” SP Nagaur Raghvendra Suhasa said.

The dead include three Dalits and one Jat.
 The two communities clashed on Thursday over a long pending land-related dispute in Dangawas village of Merta town.

Supporters of Kanaram Jat and Ratna Ram Meghwal attacked each other with sharp edged weapons and guns, Station House Officer (SHO) Merta City Nagaram said.

While Rampal died of a bullet shot, three others—Ratna Ram, Pokar Ram and Pancha Ram received injuries by other weapons and died, he said.

Angered mob

“Investigation reveals that Rampal was first shot dead by a member of the Dalit community when he went to hand the summons of a community panchayat convened to resolve the dispute,” the SHO said.

He said the murder angered the Jats, triggering the group clash that left two others dead on the spot and eight injured.

One of the severely injured later died in a hospital in Ajmer.

Ratna Ram Meghwal, among the men killed in the clash, owned the disputed land to which the Jats also laid claim, the station house officer said.

A panchayat was convened on Thursday in the presence of the villagers to solve the dispute. More than 200 persons have been accused in the incident.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said the police have no magic want to arrest the accused.

“We do not have a magical want,” Kataria told reporters in Udaipur when asked about the development in the case.

In a statement here, People’s Union for Civil Liberties said:  “The village panchayat wanted to grab Dalit land. The Dalit women were also targeted and we demand from the police to add section of rape.”