Massive outrage broke out in Rajasthan’s Barmer district after a Dalit man was allegedly killed by a group of upper-caste people.
Kojaram, 40, was beaten to death in Asadi village this morning over a six-year-long dispute. Over the years, Kojaram had registered nine cases of harassment, assault, encroachment, and disputes with the police. In four of these cases, the police filed chargesheets and even jailed the accused earlier.
As per the report filed by Kojaram’s son Indra Kumar after his father’s death at the Girab police station, Kojaram left for the farm around 7:30 am with his two daughters; Mamta and Jhamu, to shepherd the goats to the field, when they were attacked by a group of about 16 people with sharp weapons.
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The accused caught the victim’s two daughters and threatened them, reported NDTV. A video of the attack showed an injured Kojaram with his daughters screaming for help.
The report filed with the police said two people, Sadularam and Chagu Devi rushed out of their homes to come to Kojaram’s rescue. However, the two were stopped and threatened to be killed by the attackers, if they attempted to save the victim. Sadularam subsequently informed the cops and, with others’ help, put Kojaram in a car. They took him to the Barmer Hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.
The attackers have been identified as Narendra Singh, Jitendra Singh, Ravindra Singh, Raipal Singh, Gulab Singh, Mahendra Singh, Vikram Singh, Khim Singh, Bihari Singh, Jograj Singh, Devi Singh, Sadul Singh, Sawai Singh, Nakhat Singh, Ram Singh and Dev Kanwar's wife Gulab Singh.
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According to a complaint filed by Kojaram on March 15, Narendra Singh and Vikram Singh came home on a bike and abused his wife when he and his family were having dinner on March 14 around 1:30 am. The accused brought a tractor and threatened not to leave without killing Kojaram, the complaint said.
The police immediately registered the complaint, but allegedly took no action. Kojaram had expressed apprehension about an untoward incident happening to him.
The family is protesting against the murder of Kojaram by upper caste men and has demanded jobs for two family members along with a compensation of Rs one crore. Bhim Army chief Chandraskehkar Ravan is also expected to reach the spot soon.
