Nashik police today arrested six persons, including a head of 'Jaat Panchayat' (community body), for excommunicating a few families over inter-caste marriages.
Anna Navasa Hingmire and members of four other families, all belonging to Joshi-Kurbude community, a nomadic tribe, had lodged a complaint with the police that they had been excommunicated by the Panchayat.
A year ago, Hingmire's daughter married a youth belonging to Jain community.
According to the complaint, recently his son and daughter-in-law were not allowed to attend a wedding within the community because they had allowed the daughter to marry outside the caste.
Also, a fine of Rs 500 was imposed on them.
Police today arrested Bhaskar Rakhmaji Shinde (president of Jaat Panchayat), Shivaji Kumbharkar, Laxman Shinde, Ramnath Dhumal, Bhima Gangadhar Dhumal and Madhukar Kumbharkar.
They have been booked under sections 384 (extortion), 504 (insult to provoke breach of public peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation), said Assistant Commissioner of Police Ganesh Shinde.
Last month, Eeknath Kumbharkar, a member of the Joshi-Kurkude community, was arrested for murdering his 18 years old daughter for marrying outside the caste.
