A Dalit couple in Vaishali district faced the wrath of supporters of a political party, allegedly for speeches at a poll meeting in Raghopur on Thursday.

Pankaj Kumar Das (in his 40s) and his wife Anita Raj (32) were brutally assaulted and threatened with banishment from Terasia village, around 15km north of Patna. The attackers, armed with wooden sticks and iron rods, allegedly wanted to eliminate them. Apprehending a threat to their lives, the couple landed at the Ganga Bridge police station on Thursday night and submitted a written complaint. They also named some alleged offenders.

Ganga Bridge police station house officer Shahnawaz Khan said an FIR has been lodged against four persons on the statement of the couple, belonging to the Scheduled Caste. "The police carried out raids but they could not be arrested," Shahnawaz saidon Saturday. He promised action but no steps have been taken even 48 hours later. "The police are reluctant, as the accused belong to a dominant caste," Das said.

According to the complaint, around 10-12 people descended on Das's house around 7pm on Thursday, just hours after his speech at a poll meeting in support of a candidate of his choice. The accused hurled abuses and thrashed Das in public. "When my wife stepped out to protect me, they misbehaved with her and threatened her with dire consequences. They also chased those who gathered on hearing our shouts of help," Das said.

Vaishali superintendent of police Rakesh Kumar said: "This is not serious. Such things happen during polls."

The poll meeting was also attended by Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Lalu Prasad's son Tejaswi Yadav is contesting from Raghopur.