JOIN USBefore it could heal from the sectarian violence in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh was once again rocked by clashes in Meerut district, leaving one person dead and around two dozen injured.
Police sources said Dalit and Jat communities clashed in Gejha village on Monday night over a trivial issue.
A Jat youth reportedly made an objectionable remark about a Dalit man, prompting members of the community to attack the Jat’s house.
Tension heightened in the village after Pintu Chaudhary, a Jat youth who was severely injured in the clashes, died in a hospital late on Monday night.
Two persons have been arrested in connection with the killing and security personnel have been deployed in large numbers to prevent further clashes.
Senior police and civil officials have also rushed to the village to monitor the situation. A few weeks ago, the neighbouring Saharanpur district had also witnessed large-scale clashes between Dalits and Thakurs that left three people dead and scores others injured.
The Opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh attacked the ruling dispensation for not ensuring the safety of Dalits. “Dalits do not feel safe under this government,” Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said.
“There have been several instances of attacks on the Dalit community across the state since Yogi Adityanath assumed charge,” he said.