By IANS
Chandigarh : There is now a new twist to the death of a Dalit youth in Gohana earlier this week that led to violence in Haryana over the last three days. Police claimed Friday that the youth Lara’s killing had nothing to do with Dalit-Jat community clashes but was the result of gang rivalry.
Sonepat superintendent of police Navdeep Singh Virk said that three people had been arrested in the murder of Lara and two more were wanted in the case.
“Lara’s murder had nothing to do with community clashes and is not linked to the murder of Baljit Siwaich in 2005,” Virk told reporters in Sonepat.
Siwaich’s murder had led to the arrest of some Dalit youths in Gohana two years ago. Lara was one of them but was later acquitted by a trial court. He was killed Monday night by three unidentified assailants at the Samata Chowk in Gohana.
Virk said that one of the accused directly linked with Lara’s murder, Naresh had been arrested. Two of his accomplices were also nabbed.
He said that Lara was murdered at the behest of another criminal Sanjay Bhutana who is presently lodged in Karnal jail. Bhutana was upset with Lara as the latter used to extort illegal “tax” in Gohana, Virk said.
Lara, whose death sparked violence across Haryana over the last three days, was a known criminal of the area with eight cases against him, he disclosed.
He added that police were trying to nab two more criminals who were directly involved in the killing of Lara.
Meanwhile, Dalit protesters clashed with Haryana police again in Panchkula adjoining the state capital Chandigarh. At least 10 people, including four policemen were injured in the clash. Police had to resort to teargas to disperse the mob.
Though there was tension in Gohana, Other parts of Haryana remained calm.