By Varinder Bhatia , Ravik Bhattacharya
Haryana police have arrested seven persons, including two juveniles, for allegedly lynching a migrant worker from West Bengal over suspicion that he consumed beef. The accused, police said, are suspected to have links to cow vigilante groups, and further investigation is underway.
The victim, Sabir Malik (22), was beaten to death in Charkhi Dadri district on August 27. He came to the state to work as a ragpicker, and was living with his wife and two-year-old daughter in Hansawas Khurd village.
Hours before his death, police had been called to the village by a group of youths, who claimed beef was being cooked and consumed in shanties there. Even as the meat was seized by the police and sent for testing, the accused, police say, took the law into their hands and beat Sabir to death. Sabir’s relatives told The Indian Express that the same day, they had been called to the police station and asked if they consumed beef.
The accused have been identified as Abhishek, Mohit, Kamaljit, Sahil and Ravinder, police said.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Dheeraj Kumar told The Indian Express, “On Tuesday (August 27), a group of youths caught a few ragpickers in Hansawas Khurd village and alleged that they were consuming beef. Sabir lived in the same village. Police were also called to the spot, and upon inspection, they found meat being cooked by a few persons living in shanties there. Forensic and veterinary experts inspected the spot and the meat samples were seized to determine if it was actually beef. The report was awaited. Hours later, these accused caught hold of Sabir Malik and assaulted him mercilessly, resulting in his death. The post-mortem examination was conducted and his body handed over to his kin.” Police said most people living in the shanties are migrant workers.
This story was originally published in indianexpress.com. Read the full story here.
