31/01/2009

Man arrested in Bihar for two massacres

 

Patna, Jan 31: A man described as Bihar's most wanted for his alleged role in two gruesome massacres of 91 Dalits has been arrested, police said Saturday.

Sushil Pandey, a "commander" of banned private militia Ranvir Sena, was arrested Friday night by the Special Task Force from a village in Aurangabad district, about 100 km from here.

He carried a reward of Rs.150,000 for his roles in the two massacres at Lakhsmanpur Bathe and Miyanpur.

In December 1997, Ranvir Sena massacred 58 Dalits in Lakshmanpur Bathe village and 33 Dalits and people of other backward classes in June 2000 in Mianpur village of Aurangabad district.

Ranvir Sena is a private militia of upper caste landlords in Bihar and is led by Brahmeshwar Singh, who is currently in jail.

Brahmeshwar Singh was arrested in 2002 and is believed to have masterminded the killings of at least 300 Dalits and backward caste people since the group was formed in 1994.

 


Comment

comments...