SekrutYakhni
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BBC News - India caste council blamed for five suicides
Caste leaders wield huge influence in India
Five people in the western Indian state of Rajasthan have committed suicide after allegedly being harassed by members of a village caste council.
Police say two letters found at the scene of the suicide accused village leaders of harassing them for money.
Four of the dead were from the same family. Two people have been arrested in connection with the suicide.
Caste councils enjoy tremendous social power in many parts of Rajasthan even though they have no legal authority.
The dead have been identified as Rajendra Jat, his wife Heero, their two children and a neighbour, Kunwari Bai. The only survivor was Mr Jat's 11-year-old daughter Mona.
The incident took place in Karauli district.
'Falsely accused'
In the suicide note, Mr Jat alleged that the caste council had falsely accused him of borrowing 50,000 rupees ($1,122) from Kunwari Bai.
Despite clarifications from him and Kunwari Bai, the caste leaders ordered him to return the money with interest, the letter stated.
Police say that Mr Jat, along with his family and Kunwari Bai, lay down on the railway tracks. They were run over by a passing train.
Mona survived as she felt cold and had moved between the tracks.
District Commissioner Neeraj Pawan told the BBC that the police were looking for the caste leaders and "strict action will be take against those who [may have] forced the family to commit suicide".
Senior police officer MR Meena, however, said although the suicide note blamed the village caste council, there could be another explanation for the suicides.
"It's a bit early to say anything for sure. We are investigating," he said.
Caste leaders wield huge influence in India
Five people in the western Indian state of Rajasthan have committed suicide after allegedly being harassed by members of a village caste council.
Police say two letters found at the scene of the suicide accused village leaders of harassing them for money.
Four of the dead were from the same family. Two people have been arrested in connection with the suicide.
Caste councils enjoy tremendous social power in many parts of Rajasthan even though they have no legal authority.
The dead have been identified as Rajendra Jat, his wife Heero, their two children and a neighbour, Kunwari Bai. The only survivor was Mr Jat's 11-year-old daughter Mona.
The incident took place in Karauli district.
'Falsely accused'
In the suicide note, Mr Jat alleged that the caste council had falsely accused him of borrowing 50,000 rupees ($1,122) from Kunwari Bai.
Despite clarifications from him and Kunwari Bai, the caste leaders ordered him to return the money with interest, the letter stated.
Police say that Mr Jat, along with his family and Kunwari Bai, lay down on the railway tracks. They were run over by a passing train.
Mona survived as she felt cold and had moved between the tracks.
District Commissioner Neeraj Pawan told the BBC that the police were looking for the caste leaders and "strict action will be take against those who [may have] forced the family to commit suicide".
Senior police officer MR Meena, however, said although the suicide note blamed the village caste council, there could be another explanation for the suicides.
"It's a bit early to say anything for sure. We are investigating," he said.
