Man who abused lower caste women not arrested

In another case of police apathy in cases of gender-related violence, activists alleged here Friday that a man who physically and verbally abused five lower caste women has not been arrested even five days after a complaint was filed against him.

The incident occurred in Uttar Pradesh's Lalitpur village May 12 when Sahab Singh Yadav, a local goon, physically and verbally abused five women working as human rights activists.

The victims said they were inaugurating the Sahajani Shiksha Kendra (SSK), an adult literacy centre for Dalit women, when they were assaulted.

"The women were attacked last Sunday, but Yadav has not yet been arrested. We went to the village today (Friday) as well," said Kaniza, an activist from the village.

A statement issued by the activists said that two of women sustained serious head and body injuries.

"He used caste-based abuses and sexually explicit language to humiliate and intimidate the women workers. He also threatened them, saying that he would kill them if they were ever seen in the area again. The villagers were also threatened with dire consequences if they gave any statement against him," the statement said.

A massive protest was also staged in Lalitpur Thursday to protest non-arrest of the assaulter.