Three Muslim men were beaten to death in the Dinajpur district of West Bengal on 22 June for allegedly being involved in cattle theft. The men were lynched by a group of residents who accused them of stealing cows from a house in the village.
The deceased have been identified as Nasirul Haque, 30, a resident of Kutipara, Mohammad Samiruddin, 32, a resident of Kandarpara, and Md Nasir, 33, from Dhalugunj.
Three people have been arrested in connection with the case, The Indian Express reported. The arrested men have been identified as Asit Basu, 29, Asim Basu, 27, and Krishna Poddar, 24.
The Indian Express quoted sources as saying that a group of 10 men allegedly entered the village and stole cows from two houses before they were noticed by the mob.
“The locals chased them and thrashed them until they died. Their bodies have been sent for autopsy. An impartial inquiry has been ordered into the incident,” The Indian Express quoted an official as saying.
Police officials further said that action will be taken against the perpetrators. “Past credentials show that all the three victims were indulged in cattle theft. The investigation is being carried out. We are conducting raids,” SP Amit Kumar Bharat Rathod told the daily.