A shocking video has gone viral. It shows a couple belonging to the Bhil (tribal) community being thrashed and then paraded naked in a village in Banswara district of Rajasthan. The heinous act was carried out by the tribal villagers after a khap-like diktat was issued. A video of the act was later circulated on social media which went viral.
Police say they learnt of this incident only after the video went viral. Anand Sharma, Superintendent of Police, Banswara said the villagers are a tight-woven group and after meting out 'justice' in their own method, they allowed no word to slip out. Except, of course, the video did the opposite and the police reached the Shambhupura village.
The incident took place on Sunday morning in Shambhupura village in Banswara. The victims are a 20-year-old tribal male and his girl cousin who are allegedly in a relationship. The two had fled to Gujarat to escape the wrath of their respective families. But they were brought back to the village, after which several villagers took over. After the assault, the girl was forcibly wedded off to someone else.
Both victims are now hospitalised for treatment. Police are reportedly considering sending the girl to a government-run home in order to ensure her safety. Police have registered an FIR based on the statements of the two victims. Eighteen people have reportedly been arrested.
Video Editor: Ashutosh Bharadwaj
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