2 dalits set on fire, 1 dies

One dalit youth died of burn injuries and another is battling for his life after about half a dozen men set the two ablaze in their sleep in Gorakhpur district on Wednesday. The victims are relatives of a former zila panchayat member, Rajdev Paswan, whose wife was defeated in the panchayat elections held earlier this year.

The family has accused Shivam Maurya, whose mother had won the polls, of perpetuating the crime.

UP DGP Javeed Ahmad said they have arrested Shivam and one Ajit Yadav, Wednesday morning while search for others was on.

According to the police, the incident took place in Dumri village’s Chaura Chauri area, after some men poured petrol on Santosh Paswan (26) and Narmada Paswan (30) who were sleeping outside the cement factory of Mr Rajdev Paswan. Before the two could wake up to realise what was happening, the men threw a lit match stick on them, locals who responded to their screams told the police.

The two were rushed to BRD medical college from where they were referred to the PGI in Lucknow.

While Santosh died during treatment, condition of Narmada was critical with doctors saying his chances of survival were negligible since he has suffered over 90 per cent burns.

Kamaldev Paswan, brother of Rajdev, said ever since his family had opposed the Mauryas, the latter had been threatening them of “teaching a lesson”.