Dalit Row: Rahul Gandhi to visit Una even as Gujarat continues to simmer

State still on alert mode following the violence; Una becomes stage for politics over atrocities against Dalits

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Una on Thursday to meet the families of victims belonging to Dalit families who were brutally assaulted by self-styled 'cow protectors' last week. 

Gujarat administration is on an alert mode even as the state-wide bandh ended with more state transport buses being burnt and incidents of stray violence in different parts of the state.

Mota Samadhilya, a village in the Gir-Somnath district, has become the epicenter for politics over atrocities against Dalits. Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel had visited the victims' families on Wednesday. The government has set up inquiry under CID (Crime) for investigation and all eight accused have been arrested. An ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to each victim has already been announced and their medical expenses would be borne by the state government.

NCP leader Praful Patel is expected to visit Una as well, with the party reportedly announcing Rs 2 lakh assistance for the Dalit family. As per unconfirmed reports, the highway near Limbdi was blocked on Thursday. 

Four local policemen have been suspended for dereliction of duty and the government proposed for trial by the Special Court or Fast Track Court. Despite the administration's efforts to pacify the agitation, protestors forced closure of shops, schools and other establishments in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Gir-Somnath, Bhavnagar on Wednesday. 

Seven youths attempted suicide in the state and incidents of arson took place across districts where protesters took to streets. 

Gujarat police said that at least 18 incidents of violence and mob fury had taken place in the state on Wednesday. 

The most affected areas were Junagadh, Porbandar, Surendranagar, Botad, Surat among others. Several government and private buses were set ablaze; protesters halted trains hit the streets in several cities across Gujarat. 

In Surat, members of the Dalit organisations tried to enter the textile market in a bid to shut it down, but were stopped by the police.