AAP, Cong MLAs under ‘house arrest’ before prayer meet for tribals killed in Gujarat

Two politicians, one from the Aam Aadmi Party and one from the Congress, were placed under ‘house arrest’ along with their supporters before they could go to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Narmada district to pay tribute to two tribals who were beaten to death the previous week. The police did not authorize the prayer meet at Kevadia near the Statue of Unity for the deceased tribals.

The two tribals, Jayesh Tadvi and Sanjay Tadvi, were allegedly beaten by a group of construction workers on suspicion of theft at the site of the under-construction ‘Tribal Museum’ near the Statue of Unity. Jayesh died on the spot, while Sanjay succumbed to injuries at a government hospital.

The Aam Aadmi Party’s Dediapada MLA and tribal leader Chaitar Vasava and Congress legislator Anant Patel had planned to visit Kevadia for the prayer meet. However, they were placed under house arrest, and their supporters were detained.

The police had not given permission for the event. Another Congress MLA, Anand Patel, claimed that he was also stopped and placed under house arrest while on his way to seek justice for the tribal youth of Kevadia.

The construction workers tied the two tribals and thrashed them on suspicion of theft. Six persons were arrested on charges of murder and other offenses, according to the police. In 2019, the Centre approved the construction of a ‘Museum for Tribal Freedom Fighters’ near the Statue of Unity to honor the contribution of tribals in the freedom struggle.