19-year-old Dalit man allegedly sexually assaulted, hit with liquor bottle in Rajasthan
Sikar: In a disturbing incident, a 19-year-old Dalit man in Rajasthan’s Sikar district has accused two men of committing “unnatural sex”, urinating on him, and abusing him on the basis of his caste.
The young man further alleged that the accused men hit him with a liquor bottle, and threatened to kill him and his family if he were to complain, as reported by The Indian Express on Sunday.
The alleged crime took place on April 8 in Fatehpur, but an FIR was filed on April 16, with the Dalit man stating that he delayed filing the complaint as he was “scared” because the accused persons had allegedly recorded videos of their acts.
As per the FIR, the Dalit man’s family was attending a wedding at the time of the alleged offence. “When the DJ came near the wedding home, I too left my house to watch it. On my way, I was stopped by (the accused), who asked me to accompany them to the (bus) station for some work,” he alleged in the FIR.
However, he mentioned that the accused men, both of whom were said to have been drunk, took him to an isolated spot outside the village and began hurling casteist abuses at him. “They said that they wanted to kill my father, but since he is outside the country, it is your turn [to be beaten up]. They started punching and kicking me, and hit me with a stick” he said in the complaint.
The duo then allegedly asked him to remove his clothes, the report added. “They had unnatural sex with me and urinated on me, of which they recorded a video. They hit me with a bottle of alcohol,” he further alleged, adding that one of the men hit him with a stick on his back, arms, stomach and genitals.
Two men from a nearby settlement later intervened and rescued the complainant. The Dalit man revealed that the ordeal did not end there, as the accused called him the next day and threatened to leak his videos online if he spoke about the incident.
The complainant said he did not initially tell his family about the assault, but later confided in them after he had trouble urinating.
A case has been filed under various provisions, including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, and one section of the Information Technology Act which deals with punishment for publishing or transmitting of material containing sexually explicit act, etc, in electronic form.
Meanwhile, DSP Arvind Kumar stated that an independent witness said the complainant did not tell him about unnatural sex, but only of assault. “The investigation is on; forensic and medical reports will make things clearer,” TIE quoted DSP Arvind Kumar as saying.
The allegations sparked outrage, with Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra stating, “The BJP’s slogan of ‘Sabka Saath’ is merely an election gimmick for Dalits; in reality, under BJP rule, they face only humiliation, oppression, and injustice.” Dotasra further noted that atrocities against Dalits in Rajasthan is continuously increasing, adding that the law and order under the saffron party has deteriorated to such an extent that “the cries of the weaker sections no longer reach the corridors of power.”
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Pak drones sighted at 26 places; armed drone injure members of family in Ferozpur
New Delhi, May 9 (PTI): Pakistan on Friday continued sending swarms of drones across the Indian border, with the military saying drones were sighted in 26 locations, ranging from Baramulla in north Kashmir to Bhuj in Gujarat.
The military said drones were spotted in Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala.
"Drones have been sighted at 26 locations ranging from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the south, along both the International Border and the Line of Control with Pakistan," it said.
These include suspected armed drones posing potential threats to civilian and military targets, it added.
"The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Awantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala," the military added.
"Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in severe injuries to members of a local family," a military official said.
The injured have been provided medical assistance and the area has been sanitised by security forces. "The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems," said the official.
The situation is under close and constant watch, and prompt action is being taken wherever necessary, he said.
"Citizens, especially in the border areas are advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential," the official said.
