Dalit youth dies in Agra police custody
The members of the Valmiki Samaj in Uttar Pradesh have charged that the death of Arun Kumar Valmiki, while in the custody of Jagdishpura Police Station Agra, was following torture.
Arun Kumar, a sweeper at the police station, was arrested on charges of stealing Rs 25 lakh from the police station and was “found dead” yesterday, while in police custody.
The Valmiki community is primarily involved in sanitation work in the country. Coincidentally, Valmiki Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the great sage Valmiki, who wrote Ramayan, is being celebrated today.
According to the members of Arun Kumar’s family he worked as a sweeper at the police station for several years and the charge against him is false. They alleged that 30-year-old Arun Kumar was killed by the police to hide the truth about the theft.
When All India Congress Committee General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi tried to meet Arun Kumar’s family today, she was initially prevented by the police to move towards their house, but was later allowed to proceed.
Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has sought a thorough probe of the custodial death and has appealed to the Uttar Pradesh government to extend all help to Arun Kumar’s family.