By A Mirsab, TwoCircles.net
Pune: The Pune-Chinchwad Unit of All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has strongly condemned killing of a Dalit youth Vicky Dhepe 20, by the gang allegedly headed by Raju Chougule, 27, a cousin of Bhiwandi BJP MLA Mahesh Chougule.
On Thursday, MIM workers took out ‘Nished Morcha’ demanding stern action against the culprits and not to show any clemency to Raju Chougule who is the close relative of sitting BJP MLA.
Many Muslims and Dalits joined the protest and raised slogans – “Jai Bheem- Jai Meem”, “Communal forces killed one more Dalit”, “Long live Vicky Dhepe” and “Dhepe we will fight for you”.
Speaking with TwoCircles.net, Akil Mujawar, Pune-Pimpri MIM chief told, “We can feel the pain of Dhepe’s family. We are raising our voices so that police does not go soft on BJP MLA’s cousin who killed Dhepe.”
He also questioned electronic media’s silence on the issue and told, “When JDU MLC’s son murdered a youth in Bihar then it was all over TV news channels but this biased media snubbed similar incident when BJP MLA’s close relative killed a Dalit youth in BJP ruled state”.
On May 11 Dhepe was allegedly assaulted by a group of youth armed with iron rods and choppers. Three days after the incident he succumbed to the injuries at the St George Hospital in Mumbai. His death had resulted in a riot-like situation at Bhiwandi an irate mob consisting of activists of Republican Party of India (RPI) smashed 30 vehicles, including two-wheelers, cars and police vans. Two offices of Bhiwandi BJP MLA Mahesh Chougule were also vandalised.
Police have booked more than 20 people for assaulting Dhepe under section related to 307 (attempt to murder which will be now changed to murder u/s 302), 504 criminal intimidation and 452 IPC (breach of peace) and also the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Raju Chougule is also booked by police in the case. All the youth involved in the case were suspected to be members of BJP.
Police have arrested six accused in the case so far including Raju Chougule who has been remanded to police custody by a Magistrate on Thursday till May 23.