A 53-year-old father who had spent nearly 14 years seeking justice for his teenage son, who was killed in the 2012 Thangadh police firing in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district, has died by suicide.
Amarshibhai Sumra reportedly jumped in front of the Hapa-Mumbai train near Thangadh and Lakhmanchi during the night. His 16-year-old son, Pankaj Sumra, was among three Dalit youths killed in police firing in Thangadh 14 years ago.
Son Was Killed in 2012 Police Firing
The incident took place in September 2012 following a clash between members of the Dalit and Bharwad communities during the Tarnetar fair in Thangadh.
Police opened fire following the confrontation, killing three Dalit youths — Mehul Rathod, Pankaj Sumra and Prakash Parmar.
The police action triggered widespread criticism and questions over whether the firing was justified.
Following the incident, the Gujarat government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The SIT visited Thangadh and inspected the fairground and railway gate. It also reportedly took measurements to determine the location of the firing and recorded the sites on video.
Family Says Justice Remained Elusive
Despite 14 years having passed, the families of the three youths continue to demand justice. They have alleged that the investigation report has never been made public.
Amarshibhai had continued to pursue the matter since his son’s death, seeking accountability for the police firing.
Family members said he was particularly distressed on Raksha Bandhan after seeing his daughters grieving over their brother. He later took the extreme step near a memorial dedicated to the three youths.
His death has once again brought attention to the long-pending Thangadh firing case and the demand for the SIT report to be made public.
Railway Police Begin Investigation
Railway police reached the spot after receiving information about Amarshibhai’s death and began an investigation.
His death has also raised fresh questions over the status of the 2012 police firing investigation, including why the SIT report has remained undisclosed for so long and when the families of the deceased youths will receive justice.
