Around 40 Dalit families of Mirchpur village, who had fled in fear following an attack on a group belonging to their community, have returned after an assurance was given by the administration regarding their security.
Nine Dalits were injured when nearly 20 persons allegedly attacked them following some argument on Monday in Hisar district's Mirchpur village.
The 'traumatised' Dalit families, who had fled the village and reached Hisar yesterday, were sent back late last night by Haryana Roadway buses, a police spokesman said today.
Haryana's Minister for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Welfare Krishan Bedi met the Dalit families here last night and assured them about their rehabilitation.
A DSP, an Inspector and 60 policemen have been deployed in Mirchpur as a precautionary measure.
"The situation in the village is under control and extra police force has been deployed to avoid any untoward incident," Rajender Singh Meena, Superintendent of Police, said here.
Four persons were arrested yesterday in connection with the alleged attack on the Dalits.
The villagers were watching a cycle show when some persons present there allegedly passed a caste-related comment on a Dalit youth who had won a race, police said.
The Dalits then objected to the comment following which a group of 20 people from another community allegedly attacked them, they said.
Nearly six years ago, two people were burnt alive in an inter-caste violence in the same village.
Following the violence, CRPF troops had been deployed in the village to maintain peace, but the force was withdrawn last year.
A 20-member committee had also been formed earlier to maintain harmony in the village.
Meanwhile, Ishwar Singh, member National Commission for
Scheduled Castes today visited Mirchpur and interacted with the victims.
He assured them that the Commission will protect their interest.
"A three-member committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner has been formed, which will submit a detailed report to the Commission in connection with the incident within ten days," he said.
Singh also asked the district administration and police to ensure the safety and security of the affected Dalits and immediately arrest those behind the incident.
Deputy Commissioner Nikhil Gajraj informed Singh that Rs 25,000 has been given to each of the nine injured.
