Clash between labourers & landowners in Aligarh leaves 6 people injured

AGRA: More than six persons were injured in a clash between landowners and workers in Aligarh’s Madhavgarh area following a dispute over wages. Police have registered cases against both the groups based on a complaint by the workers and a counter-complaint filed by the accused landlords. A video of the clash has gone viral on social media.

According to a victim, identified as Poonam, who reached Aligarh SSP office on Tuesday, upper caste landlords were paying them 50% of their agreed labour wages. “We all decided to not work in their fields and told them that we will work only if full wages are paid," said Poonam.

She claimed in her complaint that the landlords, led by one Gajendra Singh, came to her house on Tuesday morning and assaulted her and her family members after they refused to work in their farms. Poonam claimed that her cousin sister, who is two-and-a-half-month pregnant, was also kicked by one of the attackers.

“They used sticks to beat us and also threw stones on us,” alleged Poonam, adding that the landlords threatened her neighbours not to help them else they too would be beaten up.

Poonam claimed that the police did not help them when they went to the local police station to register an FIR regarding the matter.

SP (crime) Arvind Kumar said he was unaware of the matter but would inquire into it. An FIR has been registered now under various sections of IPC and a probe is on, and action would be taken on the basis of the investigation report, said the SP.

Dharampal Singh, who was allegedly beaten up, filed a complaint against 25 persons, including 15 unidentified people. A counter-complaint was filed by Gajendra Singh against 14 workers.