HYDERABAD: A two-month-old baby died after she and her family were allegedly attacked by a group of upper caste men during the Kummera jatara in Nagarkurnool. The victim’s family, from Kummera village, belongs to the backward Chakali community. They were allegedly targetted when they refused to pay Rs 100 to enter the temple.In their complaint, Chilukeshwaram Chandrakala claimed they were called “lower caste” and even assaulted when they refused to pay as entry is usually free. According to her, the infant was harmed when her daughter-in-law put her at the feet of the accused seeking mercy and asking them to stop beating her husband, Ganesh – Chandrakala’s younger son. ‘Women dragged by hair & struck with metal rods’ While the incident took place on Feb 18, the baby succumbed to her injuries on Feb 21, The family, along with members of the Dharma Samaj Party (DSP), staged a protest demanding justice for the child. “The family was targeted because they refused to work as bonded labourers. Earlier too, they were targeted by upper caste men,” alleged V Shiva Maharaj of DSP, on day 2 of the protest on Sunday.Nagarkurnool police confirmed that they filed an FIR in the case and arrested three people. Further investigation is underway.“We initially booked a case under Section 194 of the BNSS (suspicious death) and Sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 352 read with 3(5) (intentional insult meant to provoke a breach of peace), and 174 (relating to non-cognisable offence procedures, among other sections) of the BNS, against the accused. Now, it has came to light that Ganesh’s wife, Mounika, belongs to the SC community. Accordingly, we have also registered a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with attempt to murder,” said a police official.They said that a post-mortem examination was conducted on the deceased infant. “Based on the PME, we will decide on further investigation of the case,” the official added. Chandrakala alleged that the accused men pulled them by the hair and threw them in front of the crowd. “My younger son, Ganesh, was attacked by four people using a metal rod meant for breaking coconuts. As my son tried to defend himself, one person from the opposite group got injured after accidentally hitting the wall,” she claimed. The family also alleged that their belongings, including gold earrings, silver bangles, and a phone, were taken away.“They threatened to harm us if we returned to Kummera village and to demolish our house,” Chandrakala stated in her complaint, adding that the family took refuge in Nagarkurnool as they were scared to return to their village. Police said that a counter case was also filed against Chandrakala’s family, based on a complaint by opposite party.
