Dalit man 'abducted, thrashed and thrown in a dog cage' in row over wages

Abuse: Sahib Singh was kidnapped, thrashed, and locked inside a dog's cage

Cases of atrocities against Dalits are on the rise in Punjab.

A Dalit youth was recently abducted and thrashed by three men, who bundled him inside a dog's cage for failing to return the labour wages that his elder brother had taken in advance.



The incident took place on August 24 at Bagiyadi village in Taran Taran district.



In his complaint to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), Sahib Singh said his elder brother Harpal had taken Rs 35,000 from Sarvan Singh for working as a labourer in the latter's fields for one year.



Unfortunately, Sarvan Singh died two months later. His sons Navdeep and Navpreet Singh came to Harpal's house and demanded the money, saying that his service was no longer required.

Sahib Singh agreed to return the money and even paid them Rs 12,000.



On August 24, Navdeep and Navpreet and Nirmal Singh came to Sahib Singh's house and demanded the remaining amount.



As he had no money then, Sahib Singh was thrashed by the trio. The three accused later locked him inside a dog's cage.



"Sahib Singh was forcibly picked up by the three men on August 24. He was mercilessly beaten up before he was locked in the cage," SP of Taran Taran, Baljit Singh said.



Nirmal Singh is presently behind bars, while the two other accused are absconding.

The police swung into action only after the NCSC intervened in the matter following the petition of the victim. An action taken report has been submitted to the NCSC by the police.



The victim's family has accused the police of sheltering the three accused.

