Dalit youth assaulted with cycle chain for using public road; case filed

 

HD Kote: A case has been registered against eleven persons in Annoor Hosalli in HD Kote taluk for allegedly assaulting a Dalit youth for using the public road here.

The police have arrested three persons in connection with the case.

As per reports, the majority of the families in the village belong to the Linagayat community and only 40 Dalit families reside here.

While there had been tensions on the issue of Dalit entry into the temple here between the two communities for the last several years, both the communities have been using a common public road for their travel needs.

On Monday morning, however, a group of people belonging to the upper caste community confronted a Dalit youth named Mahesh while he was on his way to work and warned him against using this route. In the evening when Mahesh was returning from work along with his friends — Yogesh and Suresh the group again confronted him.

In response, Mahesh questioned the group which alternative route he should take for travel as there is none. Infuriated by this the group verbally abused and assaulted the trio with cycle chains. Yogesh sustained head injuries in the assault and was admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, top police officials visited the spot. A police team has been deployed here to avoid any confrontation between the communities.