Roundup: Shutdown, clashes continue in India's Gujarat over assault on Dalits

Life remained affected in India's western state of Gujarat due to shutdown and clashes Wednesday over an assault on members of lower caste - Dalit community.

The situation worsened following reports that seven men from Dalit community attempted suicide to protest the attack on fellow community members.

The clashes were triggered last week after four Dalit men were assaulted by "cow protectors" while they were trying to skin a dead cow in Una town of Gir Somnath district, about 359 km southwest of Gandhinagar city, the capital of Gujarat.

The four, believed to be tannery workers, were stripped, tied to a vehicle and flogged with iron rods while being paraded.

During the past two days, protestors clashed with police, set ablaze buses and blocked transport.

A policeman who was injured in the clashes succumbed to his injures in hospital on Tuesday.

During the shutdown, Dalit community members staged demonstrations demanding punishment to the attackers.

"In Gujarat, many parts of Saurashtra observed shutdown today in protest against the atrocities on Dalit youths in Una," an official said.

Authorities fearing clashes cancelled the state transport services in Amreli and Junagadh districts following stone pelting and attacks on public transport by mobs on Tuesday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the attack on Dalits.

Cow slaughtering is a sensitive issue in India and sometimes flares up communal passions.

Last year, a 50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq was beaten to death and his son injured at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh over rumours that the family was eating beef.

Meanwhile, India's opposition parties Wednesday created uproar in the parliament over the attack on Dalits in Gujarat.

The members shouted slogans against the government and accused it of failing to protect Dalits, following which the House was adjourned.

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said nine people accused in the attack were arrested and four police officers suspended.

Singh said the matter was being investigated and local government in Gujarat would set up a special court for speedy trial of the case. Endit