Two Dalit youths were reportedly assaulted and abused with casteist slurs after one of them drank water from a pot during a wedding ceremony in the Gaulapur area, police said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening in Deval Malla village. According to police, Shubham, who was operating the DJ system at the wedding, drank water from a nearby utensil kept at the venue.
In a complaint filed at Kathgodam police station, the victim’s brother, Umesh Chandra Tamta, alleged that both brothers were targeted during the altercation and were physically attacked. He claimed that a group of people began abusing Shubham using caste-based remarks and later assaulted him.
According to the complaint, nearly 10 persons allegedly attacked Shubham, leaving him seriously injured. Police said he is currently hospitalised and undergoing treatment.
Umesh also stated that he was assaulted when he tried to intervene and was hit on the head with a sharp-edged weapon. Police said a woman also sustained injuries during the clash.
After the incident, local residents staged a protest at the police station, demanding immediate action against those involved. Meanwhile, members of the opposing group filed a counter-complaint, claiming that the allegations of caste-based abuse were false.
Kathgodam SHO Vimal Mishra said complaints have been received from both sides and an investigation is underway. Initial eyewitness accounts suggest that a fight broke out between the two groups. “We have detained some people for questioning. Further action will be taken based on the investigation,” he said.
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