Sattarjhoda, Nepal: Groups of Maoist supporters recently attacked Dalit villagers building a road in the Sunsari District of Nepal, according to the latest e-bulletin from the Jagaran Media Center (JMC).

JMC, a partner of The Advocacy Project, runs a news service focusing on the rights of the Dalit, a lower caste who often face discrimination in Nepal.

About 15 Maoists entered the village at night and thrashed the villagers. Two – Rajaram Yadav and Jaykrishna Goit – have since been arrested by police after pressure from villagers. After the attack, more than 300 people surrounded the District Police Office in Inwarwa demanding legal action and compensation for the damage.

The Dalit believe they were beaten because the Maoists were trying to displace them from the village. Maoists told the Nepali press that that they were involved in the incident. The Maoists, who had waged a 10-year armed rebellion against the Nepali monarchy, recently swept to power in historic elections.

To read more, check out the full JMC e-bulletin.