After Sangrur, Another Dalit Labourer Allegedly Tortured in Punjab
After the death of a Dalit labourer in Punjab's Sangrur made national headlines, a video of another Dalit migrant labourer being tortured in the state's Muktsar district has gone viral on social media.
In the video, the victim, Ramu, can be seen with his hands tied atop a tractor-trailer. He was allegedly having a dispute over a sum of Rs 25,000 which he owed to his landlord in Kotli village.
The incident happened on 11 November and a police complaint was filed by Dalit rights activist Ashok Mahindra on 19 November.
Mahindra told The Quint that Ramu used to worked as a farm labourer on the land of Gurpal Singh. "Gurpal made him work for inhumane number of hours. He used to ask Ramu to get him alcohol and drugs every day."
Mahindra said Ramu had taken an advance of Rs 25,000 from Gurpal but left the job and went back home "because he couldn't bear the inhuman working conditions anymore”.
Ashok Mahindra“Ramu came back to Muktsar two-three years ago and started working in the local vegetable market. On 11 November, Gurpal’s men came and harassed him for the money.”Since it was at the local market, Ramu's acquaintances objected to the torture and requested his release, Mahindra said.
Tejinderpal Singh, SHO, Muktsar (City) Police Station said, "Gurpal and another man have been arrested in the case. We did not register a case under SC/ST Act because Ramu couldn't provide his caste certificate. Whenever he produces the relevant documents, we will lodge a complaint under SC/ST Atrocities Act."
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