In Surat, a 29-year-old dalit, Bapu Vende working on contract at the Jalalpore municipality of Navsari district, was severely beaten up by a group of youths on Saturday night is reported to be in critical condition. He is in the ICU in Apple hospital. A complaint was lodged at Navsari Railway police station and Jalalpore police station in Navsari by the victim. Bapu Vende is a resident of Ambedkar Nagar colony at Vejalpur area in Navsari works on contract at the water distribution plant of Jalalpore Nagarpalika, and also gives honorary services as general secretary in Jay Ambe Sarvajanik Mitra Mandal of Navsari. He reportedly had a conflict with Gugu Bharwad, Subhash Intwala, both residents of Vejalpore in Navsari, who work for Shree Sai Mitra Mandal of Navsari, another social group. On night of August 18, Vende, while returning home from Navsari Railway station was stopped by Bharwad and Intwala and after a heated argument, both beat him up and fled away from the spot. Victim reached home and told his father Ashok about beating and took treatment at a private clinic. He lodged a police complaint under the Prevention of Atrocities Act against the two persons at Navsari Railway station on August 19.
The accused put pressure on Vende to withdraw his complaint and even threatened his father. Under pressure from his family and neighbours Vende left home and after work, he used to sleep at his friend Sanjay Bagle’s office at Sundervan society near Mafaltal mill road in Navsari. On Saturday night a group of 7 youths turned up at Bagle’s office, and beat up Vende again with wooden sticks and iron rods, while he was sleeping injuring him severely, and ran away. Vende somehow managed to contact his friend Bagle and informed him about the incident and he rushed him to the Navsari civil hospital. He then lodged a complaint against unknown youths at Jalalpore police station on Sunday. Due to his severe injuries, Vende was shifted to Yashfin hospital in Navsari, on Sunday and later to Apple hospital in Surat for further treatment. Police have launched a hunt for the assaulters who, according to sources are well connected with a top BJP level politicians. Jalalpore police inspector said, “The condition of Bapu Vende is serious and he cannot even talk. It was dark when he was attacked by a group of youths. We have identified some of the accused and they are non-dalits and we have launched a hunt for them, but they have gone underground. We have also pacified the family members of victim, not to worry and assured them that police will do their job best and catch the accused, as per sources.
