New Delhi: In a shocking incident, two children of a Dalit family were burnt alive and their parents suffered injuries allegedly after some persons from upper caste set their house afire while they were sleeping.
The shocking incident occurred at around 2.30 am at Sunped village on the outskirts of Delhi on Tuesday. Two persons have been arrested while 11 others, including a father-son duo, have been booked on murder, rioting and other charges, a police spokesman said. The incident has led to tension in the area and security has been beefed up.
Concerned over the law and order situation the Centre on Tuesday stepped in and sought a report from the Haryana government on the incident. Home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Khattar over phone asking him to ensure security to everyone and prevent any recurrence of such incident, officials said in Delhi. The government is meanwhile treading with caution saying the possibility of a caste angle to the brutal attack can only be verified after a thorough probe.
Union minister of social justice Thawar Chand Gehlot while assuring all required assistance to the victim’s parents , said the possibility of a caste angle to the brutal attack can be ascertained only after the probe. He said initial reports however suggested there was “old enmity” between the two families.
An SC/ST commission team has also met the victims’ family and assured them that they will get justice.
“Two children have died in the incident. Their father is out of danger, but mother has received 75 per cent burn injuries, is what we have been informed.
“The Haryana government has extended them all the help including medical treatment and financial assistance. We are in constant touch with the Haryana Chief Minister in this regard. If more help is required, we will look into it,” Mr Gehlot said.
“But truth will be out only after the probe is over. So, it will not be proper for me to comment on it right now,” he said.
He added minister of state for social justice Krishna Pal Singh, also the local MP, is keeping a close tab on the situation. Mr Gehlot also appreciated Khattar taking “immediate” action in this regard by declaring a high-level probe in the matter and announcing adequate compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the surviving victims.
