Ahmedabad, November 4: In an incident which is reminiscent of the 2016 Una flogging case, two Dalit youth in Ahmedabad were stripped and assaulted after they got into an argument with an eatery owner. Video of the assault went viral, in which one of the victims, identified as Pragnesh Parmar, was seen brutally beaten up with sticks. He was later rushed to the Civil Hospital where his condition is stated to be critical.

The other victim, identified as Jayesh, was also assaulted and left with injuries. He has, however, not been hospitalised. The Sabarmati police has recorded his statement as part of the preliminary probe, reports said. Officials privy to the investigation confirmed that the incident took place in Sabarmati Tol Naka area of Ahmedabad on Sunday night. Andhra Pradesh: Guntur Police Books ANGRAU Vice Chancellor For Abusing Dalit Employee.

Based on the probe so far, a case has been registered against the accused under the Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Act and section 307 (attempt to murder) under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), said RH Vala, in-charge of Sabarmati Police station.

Vala, while speaking to reporters, said the prime accused have been identified as Shankar Thakore and Mahesh Thakore, who is the owner of the eatery. Police officials claimed that Mahesh and Shankar were involved in the heated argument with the Dalit duo. After their verbal spat escalated, they called their family members and acquaintances settled in the Sabarmati Tol Naka area. The group then brutally assaulted the victims, the officials said.

Jignesh Mevani Threatens Bandh

While Mahesh has been arrested, Shankar and others involved in the assault were yet to be taken into custody. Vadgam MLA and Dalit rights' activist Jignesh Mevani has threatened to call a bandh in Ahmedabad if all the accused are not arrested at the earliest.

"I will declare a Gujarat Bandh if the police does not arrest the perpetrators in 24 hours who attempted lynching of two Dalit youth in Ahmedabad yesterday night. Don't think Dalits are cowards: we believe in Constitution," Mevani said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 04, 2019 03:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).