Members of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) have demanded the formation of a special investigation team to probe into the 1997 Laxmanpur-Bathe massacre.

On Friday, JNUSU members, all from All India Students’ Association (AISA), raised questions about the Patna High Court’s October 9 order setting aside the conviction of all 26 accused, who were awarded death sentence by a lower court. They said the order was a reflection of the nexus between the state and feudal forces.

The JNUSU members, led by its president, Akbar Chaudhary, and vice-president Anubhuti Agnes Bara claimed that on one hand, the Nitish Kumar government was talking about empowering Dalits and Mahadalits, while on the other, feudal forces were again raising their heads.

The AISA delegation comprising Chaudhary, Bara and members from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bengal and other states recently visited Laxmanpur-Bathe village in Arwal district.

Chaudhary said: “The Nitish government’s tall claims of working for Mahadalits and Dalits stand exposed as the road, water and electricity facilities are poor in the village 16 years after the massacre.”

AISA will undertake a countrywide signature campaign against the high court verdict and thereafter, the party would hold a Jan Sunwai (people’s conference) at New Delhi.