Shocker from AP: Dalit youth accused of stealing hens, tied to tree, beaten mercilessly

West Godavari :Police have arrested four men for mercilessly thrashing two Dalit youth after tying them to a tree in West Godavari's Linga Palem Mandal.

The attackers accused the Dalit youth of stealing hens in the area. The duo was identified as Venkateswara Rao and Santhosh, who are presently availing treatment in Chintalapudi government hospital. They have suffered injuries to their legs, shoulders, and back. Their condition is stable, police said.

Though the incident occurred on January 18, it came to light after their photos and videos went viral on social media.

Videos of the incident showing hapless teenagers surrounded by men, and flogged with sticks were shared on social media.

Police immediately swung into action and arrested four persons under SC and ST atrocities (prevention) Act and other sections of IPC.

The victims belong to the Mala community, categorized as Scheduled Caste in the state, while the accused are from the Kapu community.

"On Monday, when we were going to a nearby village, we stopped at a shop in Gonthupadu village. We were having a discussion about whether we should fill fuel from the bottles available at the shop. When the shop owner noticed this, she accused us of stealing petrol. She created a scene as if we were the ones stealing hens in the village," Venkateswara Rao told the media.