Khairlanji survivor on fast for speedy justice

Bhotmange demands a fast-track court to hear the case on a day-to-day basis

NAGPUR: The lone survivor of the 2006 Dalit killings in Khairlanji, Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange, along with 13 others is on an indefinite fast opposite the Bhandara district collector’s office since the past two days. On protest to press for a fast-track court, they want the court to hear the killings case on a day-to-day basis for speedy justice.

In all, 11 persons are accused of killing Bhotmange family. The atrocity was carried out over a land dispute in the village.

His agitation comes in the wake of a memorandum that he had submitted to the district collector Sambhajirao Sarkunde on September 29, 2007, demanding a speedy disposal of the case, failing which he would start an indefinite fast. “Since my demand has not been met yet, I am proceeding with the fast,” Bhaiyyalal said.

Though the Bhandara district administration has assured Bhotmange and his associates that their sentiments would be conveyed to the government, they insist that they would not break their fast until they get a written assurance on both their demands.

However, a special court in Bhandara is hearing the killings of Bhaiyyalal’s wife Surekha, her two sons and a daughter on September 29, 2006, in Khairlanji village. Bhaiyyalal had also urged the government to drop all charges against the protesters who took to streets in the aftermath of the incident across the state.

Responding to his demand, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil has assured that the same would be done if the damage incurred by the government turned out to be less than Rs5 lakh.

The trial in the Dalit massacre in Khairlanji began on May 3 this year, with the prosecution listing 74 witnesses to be produced before the special court. However, only 15 of the witnesses have deposed before the court till date. Bhaiyyalal has said that if the case drags on at this pace, it would take another five years to hear the case. 

Meanwhile, Congress MLA from North-Nagpur Nitin Raut met Bhotmange in Bhandara on Wednesday afternoon and joined his protest.