Haryana village appeals to Dalit families to return home

HISAR - Residents of a Haryana village Monday made an appeal to Dalit families, who had fled after clashes and arson attack, to return home.

Nearly 20 families of Valmiki community in Mirchpur village fled after an arson attack April 21. At least 15 houses were damaged and a 70-year-old Dalit man and his 18-year-old physically challenged daughter were burnt alive.

“An appeal has been made at the all-community leaders’ meeting of Mirchpur village that was held here. It was attended by additional deputy commissioner of Hisar and prominent personalities of the area,” a government spokesperson said.

“Community leaders have observed that the whole incident and migration of Valmiki families is highly disgraceful and regretful. They have requested the families to immediately return to the village.”

Police have arrested 25 people for the attack and said it resulted from an old enmity between the two communities.