Ministry seeks report from WB govt over Dalit deaths after panchayat poll results

Kolkata: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has sought a report from the West Bengal government on the deaths of Dalit men in the state after the panchayat election results were announced.

The body of an 18-year-old man, whom the BJP claimed as its member, was found hanging from a tree near his home in Purulia district last month.

Read: 18-yr-old man 'punished for working for BJP' in West Bengal

The incident invited strong criticism of the TMC government from BJP chief Amit Shah, who said the ruling dispensation has "surpassed the violent legacy of the Communist rule" in West Bengal.

An unsigned handwritten note in Bengali found near the body of Trilochan Mahato near his home in Balarampur, about 295 km from Kolkata, stated that he was "punished for working for the BJP" during the recent rural polls in the state, a senior district police officer had said.

Within a couple of days, the body of a 35-year-old man was found hanging from a high-tension tower in Purulia district, triggering protests by locals and the BJP claiming him to be its member.

Read: Another BJP worker found hanging in West Bengal, CID to probe death

In a note to the state government, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot expressed concern over the deaths.

The West Bengal government on Saturday ordered a probe by the criminal investigation department into the deaths.