Attacked families out of village; no arrests yet
Two brothers and their families still stay out of their village in Vijayanagar block of Rajasthan’s Ajmer district after a mob of upper caste Rajputs attacked them on October 20.
According to a First Information Report (FIR) lodged at Vijayanagar police station, the mob of over 100 people beat up the family members, looted their house and shop, set their vehicles on fire, misbehaved with womenfolk and drove them out of Sethana village.
The FIR said Kushal Singh Rathore, Jagdev Singh Rathore, Sanjay Singh Rathore and Narendra Singh led the mob.
Fearing for their life, the brothers, Narayan Nath and Kalu Nath, and their 20 family members live in a two-room rented house in Vijaynagar, leaving behind their newly constructed big house in the village. They are OBCs.
In a written submission to Vijayanagar sub divisional magistrate (SDM) Suresh Chawla on Saturday, Narayan Nath and his son Raju Nath complained that the accused were not allowing them to enter their village.
“Mustering courage, we went to the village but were asked to leave; we were told not to dare to come again,” Narayan said.
“They (the accused) told villagers not to keep social relations with us; villagers were warned that whosoever flouts the diktat will have to pay a fine
AJMER:
of Rs 11000,” he alleged.
Chawla said he had ordered an inquiry, and action would be taken against the guilty.
The brothers have provided video and photo evidence to the police about the mob attack, but no arrests have been made.
“We are examining the photos and videos provided to us to find out if the accused were present at the time of the attack; we will soon make arrests,” said Bhawani Singh, station house officer (SHO) of Vijayanagar police station.
Asked about the reason for the attack, Kalu Nath said, “Animosity has been brewing in their hearts after my brother Narayan fought panchayat election against Kushal Singh, one of the accused.
“They attacked us on the pretext that my nephew Raju Nath was involved in an attack on a dhaba owned by Singh’s friend on 19 October.”
He added: “He (Raju) was not in the village that day Kalu. Our economic prosperity also fuelled the animosity. They vandalised and looted our house and shop, cutting every means of our income.”
Narayan Nath said they had knocked every possible door -from chief minister to SDM -- but no arrests have been made despite assurances.
“Board exams are nearing. In this small house, there is no space for my three grandchildren, who are in Class 10 and Class 12, to do their studies,” he said.