The Hindu : National : Rahul Gandhi visits Aminabad, meets kin of massacre victims

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Rahul Gandhi visits Aminabad, meets kin of massacre victims

Atiq Khan

Says security in village should be strengthened

— Photo: PTI/ Atul Yadav

Lifting spirit: AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi cheers up a child during his visit to Aminabad, in Etawah on Saturday.

LUCKNOW: Congress general secretary and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday visited Aminabad village in Etawah district in Uttar Pradesh. Five Dalits were massacred there on Wednesday night.

Mr. Gandhi met the family members of Vishram Singh, among the five killed, and spent about 30 minutes with them. Congress sources from Etawah told The Hindu that Mr. Gandhi offered his condolences to the daughter and son-in-law of Vishram Singh. Later, he met the villagers and the Gram Pradhan, who apprised him of their problems.

The Congress MP then went to a nearby potato farm and interacted with farm labourers. He had food with them.

Chief spokesperson of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee Akhilesh Pratap Singh said Mr. Gandhi left instructions that Rs. 2.5 lakh be provided for the education of the children, who survived the killings. The money would be given by the party.

Expressing concern at the law and order situation, Mr. Gandhi said the security in the village should be strengthened. Mr. Singh said the villagers informed Mr. Gandhi that goons and anti-social elements were moving freely.

On Friday, Chief Minister Mayawati visited the village and ordered the suspension of the Station Officer of the Ekdil police station. She announced welfare measures for the four children of the bereaved family.

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