Rajasthan: Another dalit youth found dead

Jaipur: Three days after a young dalit, Neeraj Jatav, was killed, his friend’s charred body was found near UIT flats in the Phool Bagh police station area. The victim is identified as 18-year old Ajay Jatav and his body was found unclothed and half-burnt.

Ajay’s death is allegedly linked to 16-year-old Neeraj Jatav’s alleged murder by a mob on Holi following a dispute over the songs that were being played. The killing of two young dalit persons in a short span has created panic among the locals as both Neeraj and Ajay were close friends.

“Family members have claimed that some unidentified persons burnt him alive in connection with clashes that took place in Bhiwadi on March 3. However, preliminary investigation has indicated that the victim was not present on the spot of the clashes,” additional superintendent of police Pushpendra Solanki said.

A large crowd had gathered outside the hospital while the body was being examined.

Heavy police force has been deployed in the area as precautionary measure. Senior police officials have also rushed to the spot.

Solanki said that an FIR is being registered and the possibility of the two murders being connected will also be explored. “We are investigating all the angles. Ajay was known to be close to Neeraj, however, whether this murder is linked with Neeraj’s murder is yet to be ascertained,” said a senior officer.

This is third murder of dalit person in the past four days. Apart from these two murders, 26 year old Jaswant Jatav, a labourer, was beaten to death and his thatched house set ablaze by a group of three to four persons in Santa ka Nagla village in Bharatpur district on Friday night.