DALITTHAKUR CLASH OVER DRAIN LEAVES 10 INJURED

ALIGARH: Ten people were injured as Dalits and Thakurs clashed over construction of a drain in Keshopur Jaufari village under Lodha police station area here on Wednesday.

It all started when Suresh Singh of the village was laying a pipeline near Chandra Pal’s house. When the latter, a dalit, raised objection, members of the Thakur community reportedly attacked the houses of dalits and resorted to stone pelting. Soon, both groups came to blows and the Thakurs started firing from the roof tops of their houses.

The clash left 10 injured. Some of them received splinter injuries. Chandra Pal, Satyaveer Singh, Vikas, Rupesh, Bindu Mukesh, Reshma Rajendri and Ganbhir Devi from the Dalit side received serious injuries. They are undergoing treatment at a district hospital.

After receiving information, a mobile squad of police (UP-100) reached the spot and controlled the warring groups. They also informed Lodha police and CO (Gabhana). Later, the PAC was also called in view of tension in the village.

Chandar Pal’s son Sanjay said, “Two days back, we had lodged a police compliant about this disputed drain, but the police did not take it seriously.”

Anil Kumar, CO (Gabhana) said the case has been registered on the basis of complaints received from both sides. “Police have arrested three,” he said.