Khattar says 15-year-old boy committed suicide

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday claimed the 15-year-old Dalit boy, who died in Sonipat, had committed suicide and announced that job would be given to one of his family members, apart from monetary relief.

“The post-mortem report will throw light on why the suicide took place and for what reasons,” he said while addressing media, after the victim Govind’s family alleged that he was beaten up by police and died in custody after being accused of pigeon theft.

“Whosoever is responsible will not be spared and strict action will be taken,” he said as his government came under attack over the incident and the recent killing of two Dalit children at Sunped in Faridabad.

On the death of the Dalit boy, Khattar said two families had a dispute over some money. “As per information, two families Gadia Lohar and Dhanik had some dispute over the issue of a pigeon and Rs 6,000. Their matter was resolved in the police station, where the two mutually decided to equally contribute the money. However, one family gave its share and other has not given,” he said.

“There was no questioning (of minor boy). He himself went to the police station. One family went with the complaint where matter was resolved. After the matter was resolved, they went to their house and during night suicide took place, as per unofficial information,” Khattar said.

The Chief Minister’s remarks came a day after he said that the killing of two Dalit children in Faridabad was not related to caste and such incidents should not be given “political or casteist” colour.

Asked about the opposition charge of lawlessness in Haryana, Khattar asserted that there was no such problem. “There is no problem at all. The law and order situation is good and peace is maintained. But giving individual incidents casteist form is wrong,” he said, adding that “stern action will be taken to maintain law and order if the need arose”.  He also hit out at the opposition for “unnecessarily exaggerating” the issue. 

On the issue of security to Dalit community, Khattar said he has held Scheduled Caste Welfare committee meetings in all districts after a gap of two years. “In all districts, meeting is held regularly and people are asked about their problems. I also held meeting with DCs and SPs and inquired about possible caste-related incident,” he said. The CM added: “Yes, small incidents do take place and it is always the government’s intention not to let such incident happen again and if it takes place, efforts are made to nab the culprit and ensure suitable action.” 

On the Sunped incident, Khattar said: “We have handed over the probe to the Central  Bureau of Investigation (CBI). We can’t take any bigger step as of now.”