Rampur- In the village of Silaibara, situated within the jurisdiction of the Milak police station in Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh, a heated uproar ensued over the installation of an Ambedkar's board on disputed land. The contentious situation escalated into chaos, marked by stone pelting and gunfire.

Tragically, amidst the turmoil, a Dalit teenager succumbed to a fatal bullet injury, sparking allegations from villagers that the youth fell victim to police firing.

While the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death remain under scrutiny, officials have emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, awaiting the conclusive findings of the post-mortem report to determine the cause of death.

In response to a complaint filed by the deceased's relatives, a case has been registered against 25 individuals, including officials from the Milak police station, the SDM, and the Tehsildar, at the local police station.

The Escalation of Conflict

According to available information, a dispute over the possession of village community land in Silaibara village of the Milak Kotwali area escalated into violence. The conflict arose when an Ambedkar's board was erected on the land by the Jatav community, prompting a complaint from the opposing party. Responding to the complaint, a joint team from the Revenue Department and the police arrived at the scene. However, instead of resolving the issue, a fierce altercation ensued between the two communities, allegedly occurring in the presence of law enforcement.

The situation quickly deteriorated into a violent confrontation, marked by stone pelting and gunfire, resulting in the tragic death of 17-year-old Dalit teenager Sumesh. Sumesh, who had returned home after taking his 10th-grade exam earlier that day, was fatally shot during the chaos. Additionally, two individuals named Amit and Raman sustained injuries from the stone pelting.

The escalation led to an enraged mob targeting the police, damaging vehicles belonging to Deputy SP and other officers. Subsequently, members of the Dalit community blocked the road with Sumesh's body, demanding justice and compensation. Their demands include Rs 1 crore compensation for Sumesh's family and Rs 10 lakh each for the injured, along with the installation of an Ambedkar statue.

Law enforcement reinforcements, including personnel from multiple police stations and high-ranking officials such as the Commissioner, DIG, and SP, were deployed to the area to restore order. After approximately six hours of demonstrations, authorities were able to facilitate the autopsy of Sumesh's body.

Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh confirmed the death of one youth and injuries to two others during the violence. He assured that a magistrate inquiry would be conducted into the incident, promising strict action against those responsible. Furthermore, he pledged to address the demands put forth by the victims' families.

In the ongoing controversy, Bhim Army District President Rajesh Khanna provided insights to The Mooknayak, shedding light on the underlying dynamics. He explained that the disputed land in question originally served as a dumping ground, known as a "Ghoor," until approximately 20 days ago when the village head initiated a cleanliness drive, transforming the area. To prevent its reversion to a dumping site, the village head subsequently installed a statue of Ambedkar and a board in his honor on the vacant government land about 15 days prior to the incident.

Khanna elaborated on the demographics of the village, highlighting that while the Gangwar community comprises the largest population, the contested land lies approximately 900 meters away from their residences. Despite the distance, they vehemently opposed the installation. Media reports indicate an ongoing dispute between the Dalit and Gangwar communities regarding this land, with the former advocating for the placement of Ambedkar's statue and board, while the latter opposes it. This disagreement escalated to involve law enforcement approximately 15 days prior, leading to police intervention and the subsequent evacuation of the land.

Bhim Army Chief detained

Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar accused the police of the murder of the Dalit teenager in Rampur. Speaking to the media, Chandrashekhar said, "Now there is no need for criminals because the police are busy in killing." While talking to the journalists, Chandrashekhar said - "I do not want to fight with the police, but the police is forcefully stopping me. Let all the police officers hear that I will go to Rampur. No matter what happens for this. I am even ready to be shot. A Dalit teenager has been murdered and the police is involved. Dalits are being murdered in the state. The family has spoken to me. I am being stopped forcefully."

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