Dalit Mahapanchayat in Meerut today: Call for protest against beating of protesters in Lalita Gautam murder case
A Dalit Mahapanchayat has been called in Meerut today, Sunday. The Mahapanchayat will be held in the Commissioner’s Park. The Mahapanchayat is regarding the kidnapping and murder of Lalita Gautam, a BA student from the Scheduled Castes, resident of the Rohta police station area.
On July 8th, the victim’s family, along with the National President of the Yuva Shakti Dal, Ravi Gautam, protested at the Collectorate gate.
The National President of the Yuva Shakti Dal has launched a protest against the then SSP Avinash Pandey, accusing him of assaulting protesters. He has been sitting on a dharna at Chaudhary Charan Singh Park for ten days. A Mahapanchayat is being held at the Commissioner’s Park today, Sunday, regarding this matter. Meerut Police and the Intelligence Department have become active in connection with the Mahapanchayat.
Barricades have been erected at the district’s borders, and security has been increased since night.
On Saturday night, SSP BBGTS Murthy held a video conference with police officers to brief them on the security plan for the Mahapanchayat. Following this, ADG Bhanu Bhaskar himself addressed police officers via video conference late at night. Police teams were deployed at all district borders late at night. Police teams are continuously patrolling.
All COs have been deployed in the field since last night to prevent outsiders from coming and disrupting the district’s atmosphere. Intelligence, LIU, and police teams have also been deployed around the Commissioner’s Park to ensure that the Mahapanchayat does not disrupt the district’s atmosphere and prevent political interference. The police administration is fully committed to ensuring that the Mahapanchayat does not take place.
Ravi Gautam, Protesting in the Commissioner’s Park
Yuva Shakti Dal National President Ravi Gautam stated that he and his family were protesting on the road outside the Collectorate on July 8th in connection with the case of a BA student from the Dalit community. It is alleged that during this time, the then SSP, Avinash Pandey, assaulted the protesters. The SSP detained the National President and slapped him.
The matter escalated after a video of the incident went viral on social media. Following this, the police filed an FIR against Ravi Gautam and several others and sent them to jail. Since his release on bail, Ravi Gautam has been staging a protest at Chaudhary Charan Singh Park, demanding action against the then SSP and Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhijeet Kumar. Leaders under house arrest since morning
National President Ravi Gautam stated that the police are placing his colleagues attending the Mahapanchayat scheduled for Sunday under house arrest. According to him, the police are preventing his supporters from attending the Mahapanchayat in Hapur and Bulandshahr.
Hunger strike and foot march to demand euthanasia
Ravi Gautam stated that his fight will continue until justice is achieved. If he is denied justice, he will go on a hunger strike and will also march to Delhi, demanding euthanasia from the President. A large number of people are expected to attend the Mahapanchayat scheduled for today, Sunday.
In view of this, the police and intelligence department have also begun preparations. Police officers will be monitoring the people associated with the Mahapanchayat and the expected crowd.
The student’s family refused to attend the Mahapanchayat. Ahead of the Dalit Mahapanchayat, a video of the deceased’s father, Vedprakash, surfaced on social media. In the video, Vedprakash stated that politics is being played over his daughter’s murder and that he has nothing to do with the proposed Mahapanchayat.
Vedprakash clarified through the video that Lalita Gautam’s murder is a serious incident for his family, but that no politics should be played in his daughter’s name. He denied any consent or involvement in the Mahapanchayat.
Courtesy: Hindi News
