• Source:JND
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Raebareli Dalit Man Lynched: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday visited Raebareli, his Lok Sabha constituency, to meet the family of Hariom Valmiki, the Dalit man who was lynched. Gandhi interacted with the members of Horiom amid outrage over his killing in Fatehpur.

The Lok Sabha LoP said, "This morning, the government threatened the family against meeting me. It's not important whether the victims' family meets me or not, but what is important is that these people are not criminals. They have committed no mistake."

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Gandhi said he met the deceased's family and listened to them. "Congress Party and I will try our best to provide all possible help to the family. Wherever there will be atrocities against Dalits in the country, Congress will be there and we will provide all possible help and fight for justice," he asserted.

Earlier, the Congress leader landed at Chakeri airport and travelled about 80 km by road to Fatehpur, where he met the family members of the deceased. Ahead of his visit, the government issued an offer letter to Hariom's sister, Kusum, for a contractual post as a staff nurse at the Fatehpur Medical College. Tight security arrangements were in place ahead for his visit, with the lane leading to Valmiki's house barricaded. 

What Happened On October 2?

40-year-old Valmiki was lynched by villagers after they mistook him for a thief during a night vigil at about 1 am on October 2. A rumour that a gang was using drones for surveillance to mark houses for robberies prompted locals to attack the Dalit man.

Political Outrage Over Dalit Man's Lynching

The incident had sparked widespread outrage, with opposition parties, including the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, accusing the BJP government of failing to protect Dalits and curb mob violence. Following the attack, police registered a case, and have so far arrested 14 people, including the main accused, who was held after an encounter on October 10. Five policemen, including two sub-inspectors, were suspended for alleged lapses in handling the case.

(With agencies inputs)

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