Birgunj — A case of group assault on six members of a Dalit family, including two women, has come to light from Rautahat District, raising concerns over caste-based violence and alleged police negligence.
According to the victims, the incident took place on the evening of March 3 at Santpur in Fatuwa Bijaypur Municipality-5, just two days before the House of Representatives election and on the eve of the Holi festival. Six members of the Dalit (Chamar) community were injured in the attack.
The injured include 55-year-old Birja Ram Chamar, his wife Gayatri Devi Ram, their son Rajkumar Ram, a 16-year-old girl from the same family, Lalan Ram Chamar, and Naresh Ram Chamar. Birja Ram suffered injuries to his back and neck, while Gayatri Devi sustained bruises all over her body. Rajkumar Ram received three stitches on his head, and the teenage girl needed seven stitches after her head was seriously injured, the victims said.
Birja Ram alleged that the attack followed a minor dispute with a group of local men, including Bhuneshwar Yadav, Pasindra Yadav, Nitesh Yadav, Jagu Yadav, Sukhari Yadav, Girdhari Yadav, Nabin Kumar Yadav, and Jayaprakash Yadav.
He claimed the group entered his house with sticks at around 6 pm and beat family members severely, including women, and vandalized household property. Two mobile phones were also destroyed during the attack.
According to the family, the dispute began around 5 pm when Rajkumar Ram was beaten some distance away from the house during an argument. The victims say that about an hour later, the group returned with sticks and carried out a collective assault at their home.
The victims also accused police from the Santpur Area Police Office of arresting Birja Ram and his son instead of the attackers. They alleged that the two were handcuffed, detained, and beaten before being taken to the Area Police Office in Bijaypur.
Local social worker Vijay Yadav said he contacted Police Inspector Surendra Yadav after learning about the arrest and requested their release. He said the two were freed only after the matter was reported to Sitaram Rijal, Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office Rautahat.
The victims claim that even a week after the incident, police have not registered their complaint. They said they visited the police office several times but were ignored and allegedly threatened.
Inspector Surendra Yadav, however, said one person from the opposing side was also injured, and due to election sensitivity, Birja Ram and his son were taken into custody. He added that they were released the same night on bail after police learned that members of Birja Ram’s family were also injured. He admitted there was some delay in the legal process due to election duties but promised a fair investigation.
SP Sitaram Rijal said he has instructed police to conduct an impartial inquiry and take action against those found guilty.
Meanwhile, local residents have complained that lawlessness has increased in the area since Inspector Yadav took charge of the Bijaypur police office, and some locals also accused him of previously allowing illegal gambling activities, though these allegations have not been officially confirmed.
