Youth commits suicide after caste abuse case filed against him, villagers protest

KALABURAGI: A youth committed suicide by hanging from a tree on a field after he was accused of abuse in the name of caste, at Ladamugali village in Kamalapura taluk on Wednesday night. The deceased is Nikhil Pujari (23).

Four days ago, two communities had clashed over a trivial issue during the village fair and the village elders had later brought about a compromise between the two groups. However, one group later lodged a complaint alleging caste abuse by the other group. Following this, a case was registered against several people, including Nikhil, at the Narona police station.

The community members proceeded on foot with the body of the youth.

After Nikhil committed suicide, the Halumatha community staged a protest in the village and proceeded to take his body in a tractor to Kalaburagi to demand justice, but were stopped by the police who tried to convince them against it. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also spoke to some local leaders on phone and gathered information about the incident.

However, unconvinced by these efforts, the Halumatha community members decided to proceed on foot to Kalaburagi, where they planned to stage a protest in front of the DC’s office, carrying the body of Nikhil Pujari.