DHNS/Sources
Gadag, Jan 3: A few Dalits of a colony at Benthur near here were attacked by activists of a political party for allegedly supporting BJP candidates in Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat polls on Saturday January 1 night.
A number of people were said to have been injured in the attack that has left the residents of the dalit colony in fear.
The dalits gathered in front of the Durga temple in the village on Sunday morning and demanded protection and punishment for their attackers.
Superintendent of Police Ravikumar Naik, DySP Suresh Masooti and Circle Inspector S R Ujjanakoppa rushed to the spot and pacified the residents. A police team is camping in the village.
A case has been registered at the Rural Police Station.
District in-charge minister C C Patil visited the spot and spoke to the victims.
Addressing a public meeting at the village, Patil said the attack on dalits was politically motivated and promised the residents that action would taken to ensure that such incidents would not recur.
Regardless of how any person voted, residents should live in harmony, he said. The Constitution conferred the right to vote on every citizen and no political party should make an attempt to take away that right.
Legislator Shylappa Bidaroor and City Municipal Corporation president Shrikant Khatavate were present.