Curfew has been imposed in the town and internet services have been suspended
Highlights
- Homes of Rajkumari Jatav and Bharosilal Jatav were set on fire
- Attack took place in Hinduan town of Rajasthan's Karauli district
- Bharat Bandh had affected traders as shops were vandalised by protesters
A mob of some 5,000 people set fire to the homes of two Dalit politicians in Rajasthan on Tuesday, a day after violent protests by Dalit groups during a Bharat Bandh.
The houses of a lawmaker of the ruling BJP and of a former Congress legislator were set ablaze in Hinduan town of Karauli district. Curfew has been imposed in the town and internet services have been suspended.
Legislator Rajkumari Jatav and ex-legislator Bharosilal Jatav were not in town when their homes were attacked, senior district official Abhimanyu Kumar told the Press Trust of India (PTI).
Bharosilal Jatav has served as a minister in the previous Congress government.
Karauli Superintendent of Police Anil Kayal said about 40 people had been detained in Hindaun after today's arson and violence.
The protests, mostly by trader groups, are seen as a counter to yesterday's violence during the bandh called by Dalit groups against a Supreme Court order they allege dilutes a law for their protection. The shutdown affected mainly traders as shops were vandalized by the protesters. There were clashes when the Dalit protesters tried to meet officials of the district administration but were reportedly prevented.
Agitated members of traders' associations and upper castes took out a procession in Hindaun today and tried to enter areas dominated by scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) NRK Reddy said, according to PTI.
The police fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.
(With inputs from PTI)