Friday, September 2 2005 15:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Centre today (September 2, 2005) said it will 'thoroughly investigate' the torching of Dalit houses in Gohana town of Haryana and assured all possible help, including adequate compensation, to the victims.

"All those affected by the tragedy will be provided compensation. I will speak to the State Government and the matter will be thoroughly investigated," Home Minister Shivraj Patil said here.

Patil made the assurance after meeting a delegation of Dalit leaders, led by Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) leader Brinda Karat, who visited the trouble-torn town yesterday (September 1, 2005) to have a first hand account of the situation.

He said, "Whatever damage has been done will be compensated fully."

"Whoever it is, no matter which place they were from, whichever caste they belong to, whichever community in society they belong to, if found guilty action will be taken against them," he said.

Karat later told NDTV that they had demanded action against those who perpetrated the attack and sought adequate compensation for the victims.

She also urged for action against local police and administration top brass who she claimed did not take prompt action to stop the incident.

"The identity of the attackers should be investigated and prompt action should be taken," she said.

Karat, along with Rajya Sabha MP Dipankar Mukherjee and State Unit Secretary Inderjit Singh, visited Gohana yesterday and termed the incident as 'pre-meditated attack.'