3 days ago
Fourteen Years After Thangadh Firing, Father’s Grief Endures
Three young Dalit men died in police firing in Thangadh in 2012.
Their families have spent nearly 14 years seeking answers and justice.
One of the men, Pankaj Sumra, was only 16 years old.
His father, Amarshi, recently died after being hit by a train near a memorial for the youths.
Police recorded his death as an accidental death, while the family believes grief and the delayed case may have played a role.
Another grieving father died of heart failure in 2015.
Only Mehul Rathod’s father, Valji, is still alive.
One case is being tried in court, but two other cases were closed.
The families are still asking for the inquiry report and further action.
Amarshi Lakha Sumra, 53, died after being run over by a train near Thangadh’s memorial to three Dalit youths.
His son Pankaj Sumra, Mehul Rathod, and Prakash Parmar were allegedly killed in police firing during related incidents in September 2012.
The families say prolonged delays and lack of progress in the cases contributed to the deaths of two grieving fathers.
A 2013 inquiry report has not been made public, while cases involving Mehul and Prakash were closed by the Special Investigation Team.
Three of four policemen accused in Pankaj’s death are on trial, with prosecution evidence currently being recorded.
- Who
- The families of Mehul Rathod, Prakash Parmar, and Pankaj Sumra, along with police and prosecutors involved in the cases.
- What
- Amarshi Lakha Sumra died near a memorial almost 14 years after his son and two other Dalit youths were allegedly killed in police firing.
- Where
- Thangadh in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district, including railway tracks near the Buddh Vihar Smarak memorial.
- When
- The youths were killed on September 22 and 23, 2012; Amarshi died at 10:21 p.m. on August 26, according to police.
- Why
- The families attribute Amarshi’s death partly to prolonged grief and delays in securing justice; police registered an Accidental Death report.
Families’ Allegations
Official and Legal Position
Cause of Amarshi Sumra’s death
Families’ Allegations
The families believe prolonged grief and the delay in obtaining justice contributed to Amarshi’s death, which they view as connected to the loss of the youths.
Official and Legal Position
Police registered an Accidental Death report after Amarshi was run over by a train; the article does not report an official finding that his death was suicide.
Police firing and accountability
Families’ Allegations
The families allege that police killed the three youths and say the lack of chargesheets in Mehul’s and Prakash’s cases reflects a denial of justice.
Official and Legal Position
The Special Investigation Team filed a chargesheet in Pankaj’s case but closed the cases involving Mehul and Prakash; three accused policemen are facing trial in Pankaj’s case.
Inquiry report
Families’ Allegations
The families have repeatedly sought publication of the Sanjay Prasad inquiry report and say authorities have not adequately responded.
Official and Legal Position
The Gujarat government has stated in written Assembly replies that the report remained under consideration; its contents have not been publicly released.
Key facts
- Victims
- Mehul Rathod, Prakash Parmar, and Pankaj Sumra
- 2012 deaths
- Pankaj was allegedly shot on September 22; Prakash and Mehul were allegedly killed on September 23.
- Ages
- Prakash was 26, Mehul was 17, and Pankaj was 16 when they were killed.
- Amarshi Sumra
- The 53-year-old father of Pankaj died after being run over by the Hapa-Mumbai Central Duronto Express.
- Inquiry report
- A report submitted by Sanjay Prasad in May 2013 has not been made public.
- Court status
- Three of four policemen accused in Pankaj’s alleged murder are facing trial; prosecution evidence is being recorded.
- Other cases
- The Special Investigation Team closed the cases involving the alleged killings of Mehul and Prakash.
Quotes
ASI Jagdish Dhoraliya
Assistant sub-inspector with the Government Railway Police in Surendranagar
“Amarshi Lakha Sumra, the 53-year-old father of Pankaj Sumra, died at 10.21 pm on August 26 after he was run over by the 12268 Hapa-Mumbai Central Duronto Express as the train crossed Thangadh”
indianexpress.com
“We believe it is the delay in justice that finally took the life of Amarshi Sumra, just like it did of Babubhai Parmar a decade ago”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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