Ahmedabad: Amid the raging protests over the thrashing of Dalit youths for allegedly skinning a cow, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Wednesday met the victims’ family at Mota Samadhiyala village in Una tehsil of Gir-Somnath district, and promised them all possible help.
Ms Patel told the family that her government was taking strict action against the culprits and 16 of them were already arrested, an official release said. As some of the victims complained of getting threats, Patel assured that police will also arrest those people.
On July 11, some persons who claimed to be ‘Gau-Rakshak’ (cow protectors) arrived at Mota Samadhiyala and beat up seven Dalit youths who were allegedly skinning a dead cow. The attackers alleged that the Dalits had slaughtered the cow.
The Congress, meanwhile, announced that party vice-president Rahul Gandhi will visit Una on Thursday. AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also likely to visit the place on Friday.
Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions observed total bandh where sporadic incidents of stone-pelting and road blockade were witnessed. The bandh has been largely peaceful so far, police said, adding that it had no affect in other parts of the state.
