Dalit baraat attacked in Agra over loud music; groom thrashed, pulled off mare

AGRA: A Dalit wedding procession was allegedly attacked by some members of an upper-caste community for playing loud music and passing in front of their houses at a village in Agra on Wednesday night.The groom, Rohit Kumar, 22, was pulled off the mare, abused, thrashed and his gold chain forcibly taken away.The accused men came out of their houses with sticks and sharp objects, causing panic among the groom's family and guests, which included many women and children. Some of the guests sustained injuries and were shifted to the nearest hospital. After the attack, the baraatis, who had come from a neighbouring village, quickly switched off the music and lights and rushed to the wedding hall out of fear, locals said. Two persons have been detained so far.SHO Anand Veer said, "The incident took place at Garhi Rammi village in Khandauli area of Agra district. A case was registered under BNS sections 191-3 (rioting with weapons), 190 (unlawful assembly), 115-1 (causing hurt), 127 (wrongfully confined), 74 (assault or criminal force to a woman), 352 (intentional insult), along with SC/ST Act against nine named -- Ajit Tomar, Ajay Tomar, Saurabh Tomar and Pradeep Tomar and their aides -- and 20 unidentified persons after a complaint by the bride's mother."ACP Piyushkant Gupta added, "The dispute erupted over loud music. We have started an investigation, and a case was registered. Further probe is on."In a similar incident at the same village on March 11, another Dalit wedding procession came under attack from some upper-caste men. A case was subsequently registered against three persons for allegedly pulling off the 22-year-old groom from the mare at gunpoint.