Dalit Youth Gopi Parya, on 'Top of Hitlist' of Those Involved in Bharat Bandh Arson, Shot Dead
Gopi Parya, a 28 year-old dalit leader was shot dead three days after Bharat Bandh.after. An alleged list named ‘Dalit vandals and arsonists from Shobhapur’ became viral on the social media.
Meerut, April 7: Gopi Parya, a 28 year-old dalit leader was shot dead two days after an alleged list named ‘Dalit vandals and arsonists from Shobhapur’ became viral on the social media. Gopi was murdered after his name was put on top of the list that was allegedly compiled by upper caste men after the Bharat Bandh which took place on April 2 naming the most violent protesters during the bandh. He was shot five times. After his death many dalits left the village fearing the similar attacks, reported the Times of India.
According to Indian Express, an FIR has been registered against four men on the complaint of Gopi’s father, Tarachand, a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader. The four persons named in the FIR are identified as Manoj Gujjar, Ashish Gujjar, Kapil Rana and Giridhari. All are residents of who have been charged under IPC sections 302 (murder), 504 (intent to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation), and sections of the SC/ST Act. It has not been clear who exactly had prepared the list. The list contains 83 names.
Prashant, 24 who is brother of Gopi and is named fifth on the list. He told Indian Express, “No one knows who prepared that list but most of the names on it are of youths like me. Initially, we thought it was a police list. But the police denied it, saying they take action only on the basis of video footage.”
Tarachand in a complaint alleged that Manoj, Ashish and Kapil were present at the spot, along with Sunil and Anil, reported Indian Express. Gopi’s brother Prashant while speaking to Indian Express, “Gopi was first shot in the chest by Manoj, and then Kapil and Ashish opened fire. One bullet hit his chest, three hit his back, and fifth hit his hand.”
After the Bharat Bandh Statues of Babasaheb Ambedkar were also vandalized across the state. As reported by Daily Pioneer, the right hand of a statue of Dr Ambedkar installed in Bagichi in a Ferozabad village was desecrated near the Sirsaganj police station area on Thursday morning. According to daily pioneer on Wednesday night also Ambedkar’s statue was vandalised in Shivsinghpur area of Etah. These type of incident were also reported from Allahabad. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed District Magistrates and police to ensure safety to the statues.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 07, 2018 03:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).