Lynching of Dalits in Haryana

Date: 
Thursday, October 17, 2002

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

                                          Condemnation of Lynching of Dalits in Haryana

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the lynching and murder of five dalits in the Jhajjar district of Haryana. A mob of people targeted the five persons who had taken refuge in the Dulena police post and killed them. This horrific crime was perpetrated because they were skinning a dead cow which they had bought for disposal. It is obvious that some communal elements deliberately utilized the situation to whip up mob frenzy.

It is shocking that the lynching took place in front of police officers, the city magistrate and other authorities who made no effort to use force to prevent the killings.
The Haryana government should immediately ensure the arrest of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad elements who instigated the attack and proceed against all those involved in the mob attack. Action must also be taken against the officials guilty of deriliction of duty.