The Shiromani Akali Dal on Tuesday demanded that the Punjab government withdraw all cross-cases registered against Dalits during the recent clash in Phagwara within a week or else the party would launch a State-wide agitation.
SAD Scheduled Caste leader Gulzar Singh Ranike said the police should immediately arrest all the accused involved in the April 13 attack on Dalits.
‘Only four arrested’
“Cases have been registered against sixteen people, but only four have been arrested so far,” he said.
Mr. Ranike alleged that leaders associated with the Shiv Sena were behind the attack and the State government should act against them.
‘Episode pre-planned’
Akali leader Pawan Kumar Teenu alleged that the entire episode in Phagwara was pre-planned, pointing out that electricity to the area was disconnected before shots were fired.
‘Mute spectators’
“Around forty shots were fired, but the police personnel deployed at the spot remained mute spectators and did not take any action. Shockingly, cross-cases have been registered against Dalit activists,” he alleged.
Two groups had clashed on April 13 night over an attempt to install a flex banner with a picture of Bhim Rao Ambedkar at Goal Chowk and rename the square as Samvhidhan Chowk.
The members of a right-wing outfit had objected to the installation of the flex banner.
