“Dakait, dakait,” a few villagers screamed, wildly rattling several doors in Behmai on February 14, 1981. A bloodbath followed, as did notoriety for one of the most dreaded dacoits of the 1980s
The incident is infamous, as 20 members of the Thakur community were killed by ‘bandit queen’ Phoolan Devi and her gang on February 14, 1981. Following the horrific killings, the FIR named four persons, including Phoolan, and 35 persons were unnamed.