Dalit woman hospitalized after being thrashed on mango stealing charge
GAYA: As mangoes hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in the state, another report of mango controversy ending in Dalit oppression/violence has been received from the Paraiya police station area of the district. Bilasmati, a 40 years old Dalit woman is alleged to have been thrashed by power/muscle yielding village strongmen on the charge of mango stealing by her minor son.
Before being thrashed the woman was allegedly made immobile as her limbs were tied with a rope. The badly injured woman has been admitted to the ANMMCH for treatment. According to hospital sources, the woman was stable and out of danger.
The thrashing incident comes in the back drop of growing incidents of violence and ill treatment of women in general and Dalit women in particular. Incidents of killing and other forms of violence against Dalit women on the charge of being witch have taken place in other parts of the district.
Angered by the incident, the local unit of All India Progressive Women Association organized a protest dharna in Paraiya demanding arrest of the culprits and stoppage of ill treatment of the Dalit women. The women organization has threatened to intensify agitation if the culprits were not brought to book. The protest demonstration was held outside the Paraiya police station.
According to SSP Manu Maharaj, Additional SP Balram Chaudhary was sent to the village to inquire into the incident. As per the ASP’s report, Bilasmati, the victim complained against co villager Murari accusing Murari of assaulting her son as well as herself.
As per the ASP’s report submitted to the SSP, the village woman’s son complained to her that he has been beaten on the charge of mango stealing and when she protested against her son being beaten, she too was given the same treatment.
A case has been registered in this connection and orders for the arrest of the accused have been issued, said the SSP.
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