Gujarat EDN
TOI 26SEP2012
TIMES
NEWS NETWORK
Rajkot: Dalit rights activists on Tuesday gave a ‘Chalo Than’ call to their community to protest against the killing of three dalit youths in police firing in Thangadh on Saturday and Sunday.
The community will hold a massive gathering in the town on October 2.
Even as an uneasy calm prevailed in Thangadh, the anger over the killings spread in other parts of Saurashtra
where community members took out rallies and demanded immediate action against the policemen responsible for firing without any warning. Rallies were held Chotila, Vallabhipur in Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Mehsana, Keshod in Jungadh and many other places.
Dalit leaders have called for a complete bandh in Limbdi town, roughly 70 kms from Thangadh, on Tuesday. “This is a heinous crime against dalits and action must be taken against the culprits. We have called for a bandh in Limbdi to press our demands,’’ said dalit leader from Limbdi Ashok Chavda.
Situation in Thangadh, which has turned into a ghost town since two days, was calm but fear was palpable among people, especially shop keepers. Very few opened their shops and business establishments fearing fresh trouble.
Dalit community members requested them to open the shops, but not many wanted to take a risk. Close to 500 dalit women also took out a silent rally in the town to express their resentment.
Three dalit youths - Pankaj Sumra (16), Mehul Rathod (17) and Prakash Parmar (26), were killed on Saturday and Sunday.
