Compensation for Dalit truck driver

By Our Staff Correspondent

PATNA, JULY 10. Besides sacking the Minister of State for Cooperation, Mr. Lalit Kumar Yadav, who allegedly tortured a truck driver and cleaner, both Dalits, the Bihar Government has decided to initiate action separately against the bodyguard (havaldar) of Mr. Yadav for not informing police about the incident for well over a month despite being aware of it.

Making a statement, the Water Resources Minister, Mr. Jagdanand Singh, maintained that necessary compensation of Rs. 12,500 had been made to the victim, Mr. Deenanath Baitha, as proposed in the law in cases of atrocities against Dalits (SC/ST Act) besides ensuring full medical treatment to him and an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 1,000 to the cleaner.

The Minister denied charges that Mr. Baitha and the cleaner, Mr. Karu Ram, had been detained under police custody and stressed that the former would be sent to his native village of Charpokhri in Bhojpur district under police protection today so that he could attend his daughter's wedding on July 12.

The Minister, however, was silent on the demands of the Opposition, including the Leader of Opposition, Mr. S.K. Modi, for the arrest of the dismissed Minister and the other accused in the case who are still at large.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Laloo Yadav described the incident as serious and sensitive and said that none would be spared. He said that cases had been filed under the non-bailable sections and police would soon nab the culprits.

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