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Police rule out caste angle to murder

Special Correspondent

that triggered violence in Gohana

CHANDIGARH: It were only a few political parties and some vested groups that were trying to project the recent violence in Gohana town of Sonepat district in the National Capital Region as "a caste war''.

In reality the events leading to the violence were purely a public "reaction'' against the killing of Baljeet, a financier, on August 27, according to official sources here who spoke to The Hindu on condition of anonymity.

They said police investigations so far had clearly established that the murder of Baljeet by 14 persons, reportedly belonging to the Balmiki community, had no caste basis at all.

It was a personal altercation which led to the crime.

The police had arrested four persons and launched a search for the remaining accused. As per police records, most of them have criminal records.

It is being said in official circles that there was no tension whatsoever along caste lines in Baljeet's native village also even though the Sarpanch belonged to the Scheduled Caste.

In fact, the people of the area had organised a -- Panchayat on Wednesday to condemn the murder and demand the arrest of all the accused.

Some anti-social elements, reportedly owing allegiance to the local BJP MP, allegedly incited the mob to burn down the houses of the accused in the Balmiki Basti.

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