Stones were thrown at police in Agra by protesters from the Valmiki community
Agra:
Clashes erupted briefly in Agra, Uttar Pradesh today afternoon as members of the Valmiki community clashed with police over the alleged gang rape and murder of a 20-year-old Dalit woman from Hathras district in the state last month.
Footage of the clash showed angry protesters throwing stones at police and shouting slogans, while dozens of cops, armed with riot gear and lathis, tried to restore order. The violence has been contained for now, but large police forces are still deployed in the area.
Protesting members of the Valmiki community also announced a boycott of cleanup work across the city. Images showed piles of rubbish and rubbish along busy roads.
The young woman, who died Tuesday at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, suffered fractures, paralysis and a spinal injury after savage assault by four men from the so-called upper castes. Police said there was also a gash in his tongue; she had bitten him while being strangled.
Congresswoman Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is due to make a second attempt to visit Hathras today, attended a prayer meeting at the Valmiki temple in Delhi yesterday.
Ms Gandhi Vadra, who held UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath responsible for the tragedy, said she “would ensure justice for (her) sister”.
His first attempt, along with his brother Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, was stopped by UP police who were caught on video beating the Lok Sabha MP and pushing him to the ground.
Visuals showed Agra police in riot gear marching through the streets waving lathis
Previously, Gandhi had attacked the UP government, emphasizing the caste angle and calling the Hathras tragedy a “shameful gesture … to suppress the Dalits and show them their” place “in society “.
Bhim’s army chief Chandrashekhar Azad demanded responses from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reminding him that he was elected to parliament by the same state that so brutally killed a Dalit woman.
The police and the UP government have been severely criticized for their handling of the case. The Allahabad High Court summoned senior officials on October 12, citing “allegations of violence by the authorities resulting in violation of basic human and fundamental rights.”
Following the wave of criticism, DGP HC Awasthy and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi are expected to visit Hathras today – the first by such senior officials.
The family of the young woman from Hathras alleged several misconduct during the case. They also accused officials of locking them up in their homes and taking away their phones.
However, Hathras Joint Magistrate, Prem Prakash Meena, dismissed the allegations today, telling GalacticGaming: “The allegations of a boy who spoke to some reporters on Friday are without merit. escape, this shows that there were no restrictions for the family. No phones. were confiscated. “
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who faces calls to resign, yesterday affirmed his government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of women in the state.
The shocking attack drew parallels with the Delhi gang rape in 2012 and sparked furious protests across the country. During a protest in Jantar Mantar in the nation’s capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal demanded that the four accused be executed.
