Bulandshahr: A Dalit family of four, including two minors and a former village head in Khurja City of Bulandshahr district, was allegedly beaten up by a group of 8-10 upper caste men aged 20-25 years for bathing in a tubewell reservoir, according to the police.
"We were bathing when some youths arrived near the reservoir. When the children playfully reached their side of the reservoir, they threatened us not to take a bath near them. An argument broke out when we protested, and they called more men, who then thrashed us mercilessly with sticks." Malkhan Singh, one of the victims and the former village head, said.
He added, "Around five to seven members of my family, including women and children, were injured in the attack."
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bulandshahr, Shlok Kumar, said "Police were informed that a group of upper caste people thrashed people from the Dalit community. The accused first asked them to leave or take a bath away from them saying 'Both groups cannot bathe together'. After that, the two sides got into a heated argument and the Dalit family was thrashed by the youths."
An FIR has been registered at the Khurja police station under IPC sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 147 (punishment for rioting), 148, 323 (criminal assault), 504, 506 (criminal intimidation), and relevant sections of the SC/ST Act against 10 accused persons on Thursday.
The SSP added, "No arrest has been made so far. The injured are being provided treatment at the district hospital and their condition is stable. An investigation is underway and appropriate action will be taken".
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