Thangadh suicide Amarshi Sumra
Ahmedabad: Fourteen years after his teenage son was killed in police firing at Thangadh in Surendranagar, Amarshi Sumra (55) died by suicide after allegedly jumping in front of a moving train near the memorial built for the three youths killed in the 2012 incident. On the intervening night of Sep 22 and 23, 2012, Pankaj, Mehul and 26-year-old Prakash Parmar were killed when police opened fire while attempting to control a clash between two communities in Thangadh. A clash between Dalits and members of the Bharwad community during the Tarnetar fair had heightened tensions in Thangadh on Sep 22, 2012. Three Dalit youths — Pankaj Sumra (16), Mehul Rathod (17), and Prakash Parmar (26) — were killed in the firing.
Rathod said Sumra was found dead around midnight near the Buddha memorial erected in memory of the three youths killed in the police firing. “He died where his son died 14 years ago,” Rathod added. Police have maintained that firing was carried out to control the violence, while families and Dalit groups alleged excessive use of force by the cops. The families subsequently approached Gujarat High Court seeking disclosure of the report. The court questioned the govt over the continued withholding of the document. As violence escalated, police used lathicharge and tear gas to disperse the gathering. Later that night, police opened fire while trying to control the mob. Another youth was injured. Police maintained that firing was necessary to control the situation, while the victims’ families and Dalit groups alleged excessive use of force and demanded action against the policemen involved.