#HarishJatavLynching: Government agrees to fair probe, family cremates his father
The family of Harish Jatav, who was allegedly beaten to death by a mob in July, performed the last rites of his father on Sunday after the Rajasthan government gave assurance of a fair probe. Harish's visually-impaired father Rattiram Jatav had allegedly consumed poison on August 15, Thursday, after being upset with police's indifference. The family had been agitating after Rattiram's demise. Here's more.
Background: After Dalit man was lynched, police ignored family's complaint
28-year-old Harish was thrashed by a mob on July 16 after he accidentally hit a woman with his bike. From Rajasthan, he was referred to New Delhi, where he breathed his last. His family claimed one Umar Sher and his aides assaulted Harish, but police ignored their pleas. The apathy, apparently, drove Rattiram to end his life. Subsequently, the family refused to cremate him.
Family wanted fair probe, officials were forced to agree
For days now, Rattiram's family and other locals had been protesting outside a hospital where his body was kept. Titu Jatav, Rattiram's cousin, said they called off protests after their demands were met. "After officials agreed to our demand of a fair probe by a high-level committee, post-mortem of my brother's body was done. His cremation was done in Jhirana," Titu added.
Family wanted government job for Harish's widow
Reportedly, the family had been demanding a government job for Rekha, the wife of Harish, monetary compensation, and the immediate arrest of the accused. On the latest turn of events, Alwar district collector Inderjeet Singh said the government will be informed about family's demands. "We have assured the family members that relief would be provided to them under various schemes," Singh added.
Singh didn't say much about government job
When asked about promise of a job, Singh said, "It would be not fair to say anything about the job assurance at present. We will try our best for a government or private job. We will take all the necessary legal steps to do that."
Separately, BJP leader claimed all demands were met
However, district BJP secretary Ramkishan Meghwal claimed the government has accepted all demands of family. "The officials also accepted the demand of a divisional level inquiry against the accused police officers. Three members of the family would be in the investigation committee. If the demands of the family are not fulfilled within months then the BJP will hold a big protest," Meghwal told HT.
