Mob kills Muslim man over rumours he had eaten beef; UP govt announces Rs 10 lakh relief
Mohammad Akhlaq's 22-year-old son was also seriously injured in the attack
Greater Noida: Massive security has been deployed in a village in Dadri town after a 50-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death and his son injured by a mob following rumours that their family was involved in the slaughter of a cow. Tension prevailed in the area after around 200 persons attacked the residence of one Iqlakh after rumours spread in the village that a cow has been slaughtered on Monday night, police said on Wednesday.
The mob allegedly beat Iqlakh to death while his son Danish was critically injured in the attack and is undergoing treatment at a hospital, they said. There were also reports that trouble started on rumours that the victim had consumed beef. But there was no confirmation.
Giving details of the incident, Jaan Mohammad, a relative of the victim said, "An announcement was made at a local temple that a cow has been slaughtered here, following which a large number of people attacked our family."
As the rumours spread, villagers blocked a highway in Bisrakh area yesterday demanding death penalty for those involved in the slaughter. When police tried to control the mob, clash ensued in which one person identified as Rahul Yadav was shot at.
Superintendent of Police (Rural) Sanjay Singh said that police has been deployed in the area and an FIR has been filed against 10 people for attacking the family, six of whom were arrested.
District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar N P Singh said there have been protests by villagers demanding action against those involved in the slaughter of a cow. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident, he said.
UP CM Akhilesh Yadav has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the victim. He also instructed the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police, Noida to provide full protection to the family of the victim.
Senior Superintendent of Police of Gautam Budh Nagar, Kiran S said, "PAC and additional police force from Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr and Hapur has been deployed in Bisrakh area to prevent any communal flare-up."
"We have also recommended financial help for the family. We have formed peace committees to restore communal harmony in the area," the DM said.
BJP district president Thakur Harish Singh charged, "The police did not react on time. The locals gave samples of meat to the police but they did not take it seriously. Then some people got agitated. We urge people to restore peace."