Ahmedabad: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) of Gujarat has sought an action-taken report from the Collector and police of Gir Somnath district on the brutal thrashing of Dalits at Mota Samadhiyala village in Una taluka, an official said today.

Working chairperson of SHRC, Sudhir Sinha, told reporters that the Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the episode, in which four Dalit youths were thrashed by cow vigilantes in Gir-Somnath district for skinning a cow.

“Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, we have sought a report from the Superintendent of Police, Collector and District Social Welfare officer of Gir Somnath district over the Una incident,” Sinha said.

He said the authorities have been asked to submit the report within a fortnight. “If required, our team will visit the village (where the incident took place),” he said.

After being beaten in Mota Samadhiyala village on July 11, the four Dalits were packed into an SUV and taken to Una town, 24 km away. Here, they were again tied to the vehicle and thrashed in full public view. The video of these youths being beaten up with iron rods and sticks after being tied to the SUV caused widespread protests.

Police have so far arrested sixteen persons in this connection and the state government handed over the investigation to CID and notified creation of a designated court to carry out the case. Chief Minister Anandiben Patel also announced compensation to the victims.

The incident also took political colour with Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati taking it up in the Parliament, and with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal meeting the victims in the village and at Rajkot civil hospital.

PTI