Dalit village chief killed in Gujarat

Murder followed dispute over election

Jaysukh Madhad, a 25-year-old Dalit sarpanch in a village in Amreli district of Gujarat, was killed, allegedly by people of other castes on Tuesday.

Madhad was attacked with swords and knives. He was declared brought dead at a civil hospital in Amreli.

His brutal murder is reportedly connected with disputes over the recently held panchayat elections which he won and became a sarpanch of Varsada village, dominated by the upper castes. According to his relatives and family, the villagers had warned him against contesting.

FIR filed

The police have lodged an FIR naming three persons, who allegedly attacked him. “We have lodged a complaint and launched a probe,” a senior police officer said, adding “the police will soon arrest those connected with the murder.”

According to activist Jignesh Mevani, “Jaysukh Madhad was killed because he dared to be the sarpanch.”