Lucknow: The incidents of attack on Dalits are rising in Uttar Pradesh. After a Dalit minor was violated and burnt on Sunday, two Dalit youths were beaten with belts in full public view in connection with a road accident, the police said on Monday. Attackers beat up the youths as well as hurled caste-related abuses at them. The incident occurred when their bike hit another coming from the opposite direction. Initially it was a verbal spat and, then, the youths were bashed up.
The youths Raj Rawat and Shiva Rawat lodged a complaint at the police station. The attackers have been identified as Akash Yadav and Shivam Yadav. Immediately after the incident, Akash abused Raj. When the latter opposed it, Akash took out his belt and began to beat him up and hurl caste-related abuses at Raj. Akash also beat up Shiva when he tried to intervene in the brawl. Another accused Shivam later called up Raj and threatened him with dire consequences if he reported the case to the police.
According to deputy commissioner of police north zone Quasim Abidi, there was no enmity between the attackers and the victims, as they did not know each other. Abidi further said that an FIR had been registered under the Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ST Act. The culprits would soon be arrested.