Section 144 has been imposed in Ramgarh district in Jharkhand, in the aftermath of the alleged ‘beef lynching’ incident that claimed the life of meat trader Alimuddin Ansari.
The Director General of Police, DK Pandey, said that one of the 13 accused in the incident has been arrested. Along with CID, four special teams have been set up to nab the culprits, he added.
The incident occurred on the same day that Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi condemned incidents of lynching over 'gau bhakti’. A mob in BJP-led Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district went against the PM’s message and reportedly killed a man over suspicion that he was carrying beef.
Police identified Ansari, as a meat trader in his mid-30s. He is a resident of Giddi area of Ramgarh.
As per initial police statement, Ansari was beaten to death over suspicion of carrying beef in his Maruti van. The van was also set on fire, ANI reported. A case has been registered on the basis of a video footage of the lynching, police said. However, the police later claimed that it was due to monetary dispute the victim had with the group.
Jharkhand CM Demands Strict Action
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das directed the police to take strict action against those involved in the lynching.
Das told the police to arrest the culprits at the earliest so that they could be punished through fast-track courts, a government statement said.
The chief minister said no one has the right to take law into their own hands and administration of law is above all.
Das said if incidents of cattle smuggling come to light, the officer-in-charge of the area concerned, DSP and other senior officials would face action. It is time for stern action, he said.
Naidu Condemns Attack
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu condemned the lynching of Alimuddin in Ramgarh by terming it a “barbaric incident”.
It’s a barbaric incident, should be condemned by all, don’t bring religious angle in it.Venkaiah Naidu
RK Mullik, Jharkhand Police ADG (Operations) called it a case of “pre-meditated murder”.
This is a case of pre-meditated murder, which was made to look like an incident of lynching on the lines of a few incidents that have occurred in the state and other places. There are indications that the assailants, all of whom are from the majority community, would extort money from those allegedly involved in the trade of prohibited meat.RK Mullik to The Indian Express
The incident took place just a couple of days after a mob attacked and injured a man in Giridih district on suspicion that he had slaughtered a cow.
SP Kishore Kaushal told a press conference that around 30 people surrounded the van bearing a West Bengal number plate in the Bazaar Tand area of Ramgarh police station.
On receiving information, the police rushed to the spot and took Ansari to AIIMS, Ranchi where he succumbed to injuries. The mob also set the vehicle on fire, he said.
Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner Rajeswari B, who was also present in the press conference, said additional forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
On Wednesday, citizens across Indian cities held a protest to condemn the killing of a teenage Muslim boy, Junaid, in a Mathura-bound train.
Delhi Assembly Passes Resolution Against ‘Mob Violence’
The Delhi Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution condemning "mob violence" in the name of "religion" following dramatic exchanges between AAP MLAs and BJP legislator Manjinder Singh Sirsa over Kashmir.
During the course of the discussion, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia attacked PM Modi over the issue of lynchings.
You go around the world hugging people who consume beef but people are being lynched in the country over mere rumours of beef consumption. A climate of fear has shrouded the country due to mob lynchings.Manish Sisodia
With inputs from PTI.)
(This admission season, The Quint got experts from CollegeDekho.com on board to answer all your college-related queries. Send us your questions at eduqueries@thequint.com.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)