Tension prevailed in chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar's native village of Baniyani in Rohtak district, where five people, including two women, were injured in a
clash between members of Dalit community and upper castes on Wednesday evening.
A total of 13 persons, including a Dalit boy who is facing allegations of molestation by a minor girl of upper caste, have been booked by the police so far.
The clash erupted when people from the two sides gathered to resolve the issue following allegations of molestation against the Dalit boy.
The family members of both the girl and the boy were present in the meeting, which witnessed heated exchanges after the accused boy was called there.
The two groups later hurled stones and bricks on each other, injuring five people. The injured were admitted to the civil hospital, Rohtak.
Rohtak SP Shashank Anand rushed to the village, along with hundreds of police personnel, and brought the
situation under control.
Talking to Hindustan Times, Anand said, "Two FIRs have been registered from both the sides. Thirteen people, including a minor boy, have been booked so far. Eight of them have been booked under the SC/ST Act and the minor boy has been booked on the charges of molestation. However, no arrest has been made so far".
{{/usCountry}}Talking to Hindustan Times, Anand said, "Two FIRs have been registered from both the sides. Thirteen people, including a minor boy, have been booked so far. Eight of them have been booked under the SC/ST Act and the minor boy has been booked on the charges of molestation. However, no arrest has been made so far".
{{/usCountry}}"The issue is yet to be resolved, but the situation is under control. A committee has been formed at the village level and the DSP has been deputed there with other police personnel to maintain peace in the village," the SP added.
Meanwhile, the Dalit families of the village sought security in view of the prevailing tension.
Rohtak IG Shrikant Jadhav has sought a ground report on the issue. District deputy commissioner DK Bahra, who interacted with Baniyani residents, said that the situation was under control.