2 kids tied to pole, thrashed over ‘theft’

Two minors, one of whom is a Dalit, were allegedly tied to a pole and brutally assaulted by a vegetable vendor who suspected them of theft. The incident took place outside the shop in Sadar Kotwali on Sunday. The children, both of whom are aged between 10 to 12 years, were tied with a pole and thrashed by a vegetable vendor called Nihal because he suspected them of having stolen vegetables from his shop, Inspector Hargovind Singh said on Monday. The matter came to fore when a passerby witnessed the incident and informed police which rescued the two children. The vendor was booked for breach of peace, they said, adding the boys were handed over to their families. While one of the children belongs to a Dalit family, the other belongs to a minority community.