No arrests have been made so far after two Dalit youths, accused of snatching a mobile phone, were allegedly paraded semi-naked, dragged through fields, tied to a tree, and beaten by a group of people at Jhorar village in Muktsar district on Saturday afternoon. Videos purportedly showing the incident have gone viral on social media, triggering outrage over the alleged vigilante action.
Notably, the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has taken cognisance of the incident and sought a report from the district police by June 9.
According to the police, the two youths were caught by some people after they allegedly snatched a mobile phone from a migrant labourer travelling on the road. The youths were later handed over to the police, and a case of snatching was registered against them.
Later, on the complaint of the mother of one of these youths, a case was registered under relevant Sections of the BNS and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act at Malout Sadar police station against Hardeep Singh, his father Avtar Singh, Rimpa Singh, and Manpreet Singh, all residents of Jhorar village, along with seven unidentified persons.
Muktsar SP(D) Manmeet Singh Dhillon said that efforts were underway to arrest the accused who thrashed the two youths and subjected them to inhumane treatment.
