Himalayan News Service

Rajbiraj, January 4:

The Musahars from Parsahi tole in Koililadi Barsain of Saptari district, who were thrashed by the so-called upper caste people yesterday, arrived Rajbiraj today, seeking justice.

The victims gheraoed the District Police Office, demanding action against offenders. Twenty-four persons from the Musahar community were injured when they were beaten up by Mandals accusing a Musahar boy of uprooting their mustard saplings yesterday. Dhami Sada complained that the police did not take any action against the offenders despite being informed about the incident.

Asarfi Sada, coordinator of the Dalit Joint Struggle Committee (DJSC) in Saptari, said the incident affected women and children as most of the men of the Musahar settlement have gone to Punjab for work. The DJSC, Dalit Network and Dalit Reform Association today warned of agitation if actions were not taken against the offenders and compensation were not provided to the victims. Inspector Nasir Hussian said the investigation into the incident was going on.