SC seeks reply on Dalits attacks in Haryana

Advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for petitioners Jaswant and others, said violent attack on Dalits in Mirchpur on April 21, triggered by long-standing acrimony between the upper and the lower castes, had left two dead and several homeless.

Of the two dead in a fire allegedly caused by the upper-caste, one was a physically challenged girl and the other, her 70 -year-old-father. About 150 Dalit families had to leave the village after the incident, he said.

In the petition, the affected people have sought rehabilitation in another village, adequate compensation and action against the culprits. A bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi directed the state government to file its reply by Wednesday.