Buxar: Tension prevailed at Gurudas Mathiya village in Buxar district on Thursday after police initiated action in an alleged assault case that sparked protests and a road blockade by villagers.
The incident relates to an alleged brutal assault on a youth, Ravi Kumar Yadav, who was hung upside down from a tree and beaten.On the complaint of his father, Basawan Yadav, police on Wednesday registered an FIR against 17 named persons and 10 unidentified individuals, three days after the incident. Raids were carried out in the village the same night, during which six persons were detained for questioning.Following the detentions, residents—mostly from the Dalit community—blocked the Buxar–Itadhi main road for several hours on Thursday, demanding the release of the detainees.
Azad Party’s district president Suresh Azad backed the protesters, claiming the youth was apprehended while attempting theft. He alleged that police failed to register a theft case and instead targeted “innocent” villagers.However, Ravi Kumar Yadav narrated a different version. He claimed he was on his way to his agricultural field around 4am during the wheat harvest when a group of 40–50 people intercepted him in a Dalit area, accused him of theft and assaulted him.
He alleged that they partially shaved his head and moustache, and hung him upside down from a tree for nearly 45 minutes while beating him. He also cited old enmity linked to a past murder case as the motive.Basawan Yadav alleged his son was beaten with sticks, stones and an iron rod, chilli powder was thrown on his body, and there was an attempt to kill him. The matter surfaced after a video of the incident went viral on social media.Buxar SP Shubham Arya said several accused have been identified and a detailed investigation is underway. “Hanging someone from a tree and assaulting him is a serious crime, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” he said.
