U.P. police accused of vandalising Dalit pradhan’s house

False allegation, say police; Opposition parties demand action

Opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh have accused the police of vandalising the house of a Dalit pradhan in Azamgarh district and damaging his property. Police, however, say they are false allegations being levelled against them by the Dalit pradhan’s family and his associates in a bid to avoid arrest in an assault case on two police constables earlier in the day. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said on Tuesday that it was “absolutely shameful” that instead of providing justice to the “victim” Dalits, the police resorted to atrocities and caused them financial loss. She demanded that the Uttar Pradesh government take strict action against the culprits and compensate the victims. The BSP also deputed a senior leader to meet the family in Azamgarh.