Gandhinagar: Social Justice Minister, Government of Gujarat Shri Ramanlal Vora today in a statement condemned opposition Congress party for giving political twist to Una Dalit atrocity incident.

“Congress is giving political outlook to this incident and trying to disturb peace and security in Gujarat,” Vora said in a statement.

On actions taken by the state government Vora said, “first Information Report(FIR) was filed on same day of Una incident on 11 July 2016 and 6 accused were arrested. Latter 16 persons who were found involved in video footage were arrested while four police men are suspended for negligence in duty.”

“Probe into this incident has been handed over to CID Crime. For entire trial of this case, designated court is going to be setup in consultation with High Court. Special prosecutor is going to be appointed in this case and charge sheet is going to be filed in 60 days. Gujarat government is going to bear the cost of treatment of victims. The state government has taken these quick decisions, and therefore we humbly request entire Dalit community to take note that Gujarat government has immediately come to action. In future also whatever steps are needed to be taken will be taken. The state government is determined to see that Dalits live safely in Gujarat.”

Slamming opposition Congress party for doing politics over this incident, Vora said, “Congress has mentioned Patan incident in its statement. The accused of Patan incident are even today behind the bar. Similarly in Thangadh incident also, two ministers of Gujarat government had immediately rushed to the place of incident. Actions were taken against those responsible, and therefore Thangadh accused are in jail even today. The state government has extended total Rs 33,43,000 financial assistance to Thangadh victims. Monthly pension, maintenance, post death assistance, widow assistance, national social assistance are extended to them. Municipality has allotted 100 vaar plots. Assistance has been paid for construction over the plot under Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Aavas Yojana. The land for victims was allotted in Velana village as per the demand of people of Thangadh. However the victims were not ready to move. Latter another piece of land was demanded at Varmaghat in Thangadh taluka but it was forest land and therefore allotment couldn’t be possible. The state government is in proces to allocate the land at Jamvadi in Thangadh taluka under survey number 409. Thus the state government has extended enough help to Thangadh incident victims.”

“As Congress has commented on present incident, it must not forget that during the Congress rule on 20 March 1981, 120 Dalit families had to do migration, 109 Dalit families had to leave village at Chitrodipura in Visnagar taluka on 19 October, 11 Dalits were brutally killed on 25 January 1986 at Golana in Khambhat taluka while 11 were injured. 81 families had migrated from Samarda in Palanpur taluka on 26 March 1989. On 29 February 1997, 69 families had to migrate and 1 was killed at Dhandhuka. These all incidents took place in Congress rule, but no help was extended to victims. It was BJP government that rehabilitated all those who were taking refuge spending Rs 5.55 crore budget. While injustice was faced in Congress rule, it was BJP government that rehabilitated the victims. Among all these incident, the one at Golana is unforgettable. In Golana incident even cows, calves and cattle were burnt alive,” Vora said adding that: “Congress is trying to give political color to Una taluka incident and provoking communities. We strongly condemn it and appeal the people of Gujarat to extend their cooperation for peace and security. While state government is taking all actions, Dalit youths must not choose to commit suicide and stay away from taking extreme steps.”

DeshGujarat