Dalits protest encroachment by local policeman

BIJNOR: Dalits of Swaheli village protested outside the district magistrate’s office on Tuesday alleging police failure to take action against encroachment of a community dharamshala.
A complaint was registered on Sunday with the superintendent of police (SP) Harinarayan Singh seeking immediate action against the construction of a gate in the dharamshala premises.
Mangal Singh, a resident, said, “Ravidas Dharmashala is a community spot for Dalits in the area. Members host wedding receptions and other events at the venue since it also provides accommodation facility for guests. Deep Kumar and Sandeep Kumar, sons of local police officer Viresh Singh, live next to the dharamshala and have forcefully constructed a gate at the premises. We gave a written complaint to the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) on June 1 but no action was taken. They have proceeded with the gate’s construction.” Babu Ram, another resident, said, “The gate will open into the dharamshala premises. This construction is illegal and must be stopped immediately.”
“People from our community had submitted a memorandum to the SP. He assured us that he would send cops to look into the matter, but no action was taken. They are perhaps not acting because father of the duo is a police official,” alleged Bijendra Singh, also resident in the area. Speaking to TOI, circle officer (city) Shailendra Lal said, “A police team has been sent to the spot. The SDM has also sent a tehsildar to investigate the matter. After a thorough enquiry is done, we will gauge the situation and take action accordingly.”