MLA jailed for molesting Dalit

In another incident, seven Dalit women were allegedly raped by members of a powerful upper caste in Surygarha of Lakhisarai district. It was alleged that the police refused to lodge an FIR in this regard. Police swung into action only after the women knocked the CM8217;s door being spurred by Opposition RJD which staged a dharna over the incident. Police arrested the accused and a probe was ordered with the promise of strong action against the culprits.

Sources said that the CM had ordered an official inquiry into the incident after some of the victims met him at his official residence today.

Earlier this month four Dalit youths were accused of being cattle thieves and lynched in an upper caste village in the presence of the local police. Here too police acted only today after the CM intervened. IG Anil Sinha said the officer-in-charge of the concerned police station has been suspended and the SP has been asked to probe the incident.

These incidents in quick succession have not only jolted the efforts of Nitish Kumar to institute the 8220;rule of law8221; and project a clean image of the government but also provided some basis to RJD8217;s campaign that the government had failed to protect the weaker sections of the society. The RJD today staged a dharna against these incidents.