Date:11/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/11/stories/2006111117441600.htm

National

Survivor declines State's job offer

PROVIDING SUCCOUR: Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh gives a cheque for Rs.2 lakh to Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange, survivor of the Dalit family murdered in the Khairlanji village, on Friday. — PHOTO: PTI

Nagpur: Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange, whose family members were killed allegedly by non-Dalits in the neighbouring Bhandara district has declined a job offer by the Maharashtra Government.

Mr. Bhotmange met Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh at Navargaon helipad during the latter's visit to the village on Friday and demanded stringent action against the perpetrators of the crime.

"I don't want a government job but want the culprits to be hanged to death," Mr. Bhotmange later told PTI.

The State Government, in a communication late on Thursday night, had offered Mr. Bhotmange the job of a watchman at a Government-run boys' hostel in Bhandara disrict.

The Maharashtra Government is not against a CBI probe into the killing, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said here on Friday.

"We are not opposed to the demand but will have to talk to CBI officials first," Mr. Deshmukh said after visiting the lone survivor. — PTI