One killed, several injured in caste clashes in northern India

Peerzada Arshad Hamid
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, May 24, 2017
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NEW DELHI, May 24 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and several others injured in caste clashes in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, officials said Wednesday.

Violence broke out in Saharanpur district, about 711 km northwest of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

"Last evening, a truck carrying Dalit community members was attacked reportedly by Thakurs (belonging to upper caste). In the clashes, a Dalit man was killed and two others were critically injured," a police official said.

According to locals, the Dalits were returning after attending a rally of their leader and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.

Mayawati heads India's Bahujan Samaj Party, a party that has support base in Uttar Pradesh and following among millions of low-caste Dalits.

Tensions between the two communities were triggered over reports that a group of Dalits allegedly threw stones at the homes of a few Rajputs in Shabbirpur ahead of the rally.

Reports said fresh clashes broke out Wednesday morning when two Dalit youth were attacked with knives.

Casteism, though prohibited in India's constitution, is deep-rooted in the Indian society, especially in smaller towns and villages.

Authorities have rushed five additional contingents of police to contain the situation. Enditem

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