Tension prevailed in Changaliwal village of Sangrur district in Punjab on Sunday after the news of death of a young dailt labourer, who was allegedly beaten and was forced to drink urine by the upper-caste men in a horrific incident, broke out.

Protests erupted in Sangrur as 37-year-old Dalit man, identified as Jagmail, succumbed to his injuries at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh.

Deceased’s family members, supported by various organizations, locals, and political outfits, are staging protest against the powers-that-be seeking justice.

While the family members are sitting on a protest at PGIMER, BSP leaders, various outfits, and villagers were staging a dharna outside the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s (SDM) office.

That is not all! A political slugfest also started with the rival political parties blaming the ruling Congress, and demanding strict action and central probe into the incident.

Under attack from various quarters and taking serious note of the death of the dalit youth, Punjab Government on Sunday reached out to the family members assuring “every possible assistance” under the SC/ST Act.

Cabinet Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, who met the family of the deceased at PGIMER to express deepest condolences on behalf of the Punjab Government, announced that under the Act, the victim family would be given compensation of Rs  8.15 lakh and monthly pension ofRs  5,000 to a member of the family.

Dharamsot assured that necessary steps would be initiated soon to give job to a member of the family. He also reassured the victim family, on behalf of the Punjab Government, regarding every possible assistance.

The Minister added that the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has also expressed grief over the tragic incident, and the senior officers have been ordered to initiate strong action against the culprits.

Going into the background, the dalit youth died after he was allegedly thrashed and forced to drink urine over an old dispute. As per police investigation, the dalit man had a dispute with one Rinku and some other persons.

Despite the matter being resolved, Rinku along with his companions took Jagmail to his house on November 7 where he was tied to a pillar and beaten mercilessly by four men. He was even forced to drink urine when he asked for water.

The victim was admitted to the PGIMER, where he succumbed to injuries. As per the doctors attending him, his legs were amputated.

A case has been registered against the accused for abduction and wrongful confinement under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act at Lehra police station, Sangrur.

The police have arrested all four suspects and added Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to the first information report registered on November 13.

The victim’s family has been demanding Rs  50 lakh compensation and a job from the State Government.

PROTESTS BROKE OUT

Hundreds of protesters belonging to dalit organizations, supported by various political outfits, have been staging demonstration outside the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office in Lehragaga demanding justice for the victim.

“The protest will continue until justice is delivered to the victim’s family. We are demanding compensation as well as a government job to one of the family members,” a protester said.

Joining the protest, singer and dalit activist Bant Singh, who lost his limbs for protesting against his daughter’s gang-rape, said that the atrocities against the dalits by upper-caste Jat men is on the rise in the state.

He demanded capital punishment for the killers of Jagmail Singh, saying that it would be a deterrent for the atrocities against the lower castes.

In Chandigarh, the family refused to accept the body till the victim’s wife was given a government job and adequate compensation.

The dalit man is survived by his wife and three children, including two daughters.

His widow said, “Our demand is that exemplary punishment should be given to the accused. The Government should give us written assurance that they will give me a job and a compensation of Rs  50 lakh to the family.”

We will continue our protest until justice is delivered to the deceased’s family. We are demanding compensation as well as a government job to one of the family members. We will neither allow post-mortem of the body nor will conduct his funeral until our demands are met,” said a demonstrator Karnail Singh Nilowal.

POLITICAL SLUGFEST

Expressing grief over the death, Punjab Minister and Sangrur MLA Vijay Inder Singla said: “Whatever has happened is unfortunate. We stand with the family. The accused should get exemplary punishment.”

Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, expressing her sympathy with the family, said that strict action will be taken against the culprits. “The police are doing their work. It should not have happened to anyone. We will provide all possible help to the family,” she said.

Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab unit president and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, in a video message, said that he would raise the issue of killing of the dalit in Lok Sabha on Monday. He said that he would also call on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in this regard.

He said that such incidents were shameful in a civilized society, and demanded those responsible for the crime be given strict punishment.

AAP’s Sunam MLA Aman Arora, who also visited the protest site, said that the family should get justice and their demands should be met by the Government. He stated that the culprits should be nabbed, and tried in a fast track court.

Senior AAP MLA and the Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha, Harpal Singh Cheema said that the family should be given adequate compensation and they should get police security.

Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar said that strict punishment would be given to those involved in this incident.

After the incident, the opposition parties have attacked the Congress Government over the “barbaric treatment” being meted out to dalits in the state. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that a “rule of jungle” was prevalent in the state.

Condemning the incident, SAD president Sukhbir Badal had expressed shock over the incident.

Stating that the rule of jungle was prevailing in the state, the former Deputy Chief Minister said that there were repeated cases of atrocities against dalits and that the latest case of Jagmail Singh had stricken the conscience of every right thinking Punjabi.

“Jagmail suffered inhuman atrocities at the hands of his tormentors after being tied to a pillar, acid was poured on his legs and when he asked for water, he was forced to drink urine. Jagmail died a horrible death after both his legs had been amputated earlier,” he said on Saturday in a statement.

He had stated that it was condemnable that the Chief Minister had proceeded on a 14-day holiday to Europe at a time when all sections of society are suffering.

PUNJAB SC PANEL TOOK NOTE

Meanwhile, the Punjab SC/ST Commission has also condemned the incident. “I learned about the incident through media reports on November 12. An FIR has been registered.

Strict action will be taken against the accused as well as the police if they have delayed investigation in the case,” said panel member Punam Kangra.

Another member of the commission said that he will appeal to the Centre seeking death penalty for the accused.

Already, the State SC Commission had sought a report from the Sangrur SP over the incident after taking suo motu cognizance of the matter.