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Nomads killed: ex-gratia announced

Last Updated 08 November 2018, 07:44 IST

A day after five beggars who were mistaken as child-lifters were lynched to death in Dhule district, the Maharashtra government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the bereaved families, who hail from the Solapur district.

The police swung into action and took a dozen villagers into custody.

The five deceased were identified as Dadarao Shankar Bhosale, Bharat Shankar Bhosale, Raju Bhosale and Bharat Malve of Khave village and Anagu Ingole of Manewadi village — both located in the Mangalvede tehsil of Solapur district.

They were relatives and belonged to the Nath Gosavi nomadic tribe and move from village to village for alms.

The incident took place in the tribal village of Rainpada in Sakri tehsil of Dhule district — nearly 350 kms from Mumbai.

The victims, who were part of a larger group, had come to Dhule from Solapur and set up their camps in the outskirts of Pimpalner and spread out.

The group landed in Rainpada after they came to know of a tent-bazaar, and as soon as they got down from the bus, they were attacked with sticks, stones and bricks. They were dragged to the gram panchayat office and bashed to death.

Initially, the families refused to accept the bodies. However, Dhule Collector and District Magistrate Rahul Rekhawar and Superintendent of Police M Ramkumar, they pursued them to accept the bodies.

"We have nothing to say… what we all want is justice… we are poor people," said Santosh Bhosale, Dadaro's son. "We are poor people, we have lost everything," Dadarao and Bharat's sister.

The families of the victims also demanded that a case of murder and abatement to murder must be lodged against the sarpanch of Rainpada as the attack took place in the gram panchayat office.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, is directly monitoring the investigations of the case.

"We have already begun investigation in the matter... the state government has decided to give Rs 5 lakh as compensation to victims' families," Fadnavis said.

"This is a serious issue. We would go to the root of the issue," Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar said.

Several of those involved in the attack may have moved out of the village and efforts are underway to track them down.

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(Published 02 July 2018, 15:33 IST)

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