Sixteen people of a village in Medak district of Telangana were arrested for allegedly enforcing a social boycott on members of a Dalit family after they refused to play 'Dappu' (a percussion instrument) during village ceremonies, police said on Tuesday.
The family belonging to the Madiga community (Scheduled Caste) was allegedly ostracised by some villagers after its members refused to continue their traditional occupation of playing 'Dappu' during funerals in the village.
Two brothers of the Dalit family, who are postgraduates and employed in Hyderabad, were being pressured by some villagers, including some belonging to their own community, to play the instrument during ceremonies. However, the brothers had declined.
The Upa Sarpanch (deputy sarpanch) was also accused of not granting permission for constructing a house and providing a water connection to the family, police said.
Some villagers held a meeting on September 10 and passed a resolution to socially boycott the family after the brothers refused to follow the direction to continue their family's traditional occupation.
The resolution also warned of imposing a fine of Rs 5,000 on those disobeying the "direction".
Subsequently, the brothers lodged a complaint with the police following which a case was registered under relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Protection of Civil Rights Act on September 12.
Sixteen people have been arrested so far and efforts are on to nab 15 others who are on the run, a senior police official told PTI.
The brothers also moved the Telangana High Court, which directed the police to provide protection to the family.
The Medak District Collector and Superintendent of Police on Monday visited the village and conducted a meeting with the villagers over the social boycott and counselled them.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Allu Arjun Vs Cops: Have Celebs Become Soft Targets?
Corruption Case Filed Against KTR Over Hyderabad Formula E Race Issue "If You Have Courage": KTR's Open Letter To Revanth Reddy On Formula E Row Opinion: Opinion | Revanth Reddy Has Shot Himself In The Foot With Allu Arjun Case Is Safe Car Enough? Volvo Crash That Killed CEO, Family Sparks Big Question Pics: Rahul Gandhi's Family Lunch At Iconic Delhi Restaurant Snack Food Epigamia Founder Rohan Mirchandani Dies Of Cardiac Arrest At 41 Public Sector Hydropower Company Hiring For 118 Posts, Check Details Delhi's Air Quality Turns 'Severe' Despite GRAP-4 Restrictions PM Modi Meets Yoga Practitioner, Other Influencers In Kuwait Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.