Bhaiyyalal begins hunger strike http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Nagpur/Bhaiyyalal_begins_hunger_strike/articleshow/2465143.cms
17 Oct 2007, 0359 hrs IST ,Gopu Pimplapure ,TNN BHANDARA: The lone survivor of the Bhotmange family Bhaiyyalal launched an indefinite hunger strike, along with 13 supporters in front of the Bhandara district collectorate on Tuesday. On Monday, Bhaiyyalal led a delegation under the banner of Social Justice Organisation, and submitted a memorandum of demands to the collector Sambhajirao Sarkunde. Bhaiyyalal said that if the government fails to pay heed to their demands by 12 pm on Tuesday he would stage an indefinite hunger strike, along with his associates from October 16. Some of his demands included the speedy disposal of the Khairlanji Dalit massacre case, in which four of his family members were killed on September 29, 2006 and that the fast track court hearing the case be given the status of special court to speed up the trial. Bhaiyyalal demanded an unconditional withdrawal of offences registered against the agitators involved in the statewide post-Khairlanji agitation. The trial in the Dalit massacre case in Khairlanji village began on May 3, this year. The prosecution listed 74 witnesses to be produced before the special court, of which 15 have been deposed over the last five months. At this rate, the hearing of witnesses would take at least five years, he claimed and urged the government for ensuring a daily hearing of the case for expediting the trial. Bhaiyyalal also demanded an unconditional withdrawal of offences registered against the agitators involved in the statewide post-Khairlanji agitation.
