Even as the Uttar Pradesh Government submitted a report to the Union Home Ministry (MHA) on killing of a man in Dadri on the allegations of slaughter of a “banned animal”, the death of a youth under mysterious circumstances in the area has generated fresh tension.
The UP Government’s report to the MHA on the Dadri incident said the “attack on Akhlaq happened after the allegations of slaughter of a banned animal.” The report, however, has no mention of rumours of beef consumption.
“According to the report received from the UP Government, some members of a particular community entered the house of Akhlaq, son of Samid Khan, on September 28, 2015 at 10.30 pm. Akhlaq and his son Danish were beaten up by people of that community alleging slaughter of a banned animal by them. Police reached the site and got the injured admitted to Kailash Hospital at Noida where Akhlaq was declared dead,” said the MHA in a statement.
Meanwhile, Dadri’s Bisara Village faced fresh tension after a 24-year-old boy Jay Prakash was found dead in his house. His family alleged that he was being harassed by the Uttar Pradesh Police in connection with the murder of Akhlaq, who was lynched on September 28 night. The family members claimed that though Jay Prakash’s name did not figure in the list of absconders, he was being hunted by the cops for killing Akhlaq.
Prakash lived with his mother Omvati, wife Guddi, and two brothers. Their house is close to Akhlaq’s residence. Prakash’s mother Omvati alleged police harassment and claimed her son was under immense pressure despite his name not being in the list of absconders.
Villagers claimed the police had been looking for Prakash and his brothers for the past one week and his family was terrified because of that.
“Police are raiding houses in the village every day, leading to immense tension. They are harassing all, including people like Jay Prakash whose name was not present in the absconders’ list,” alleged Hari Ram Singh, a villager. While police confirmed Prakash was not among the absconding accused, Superintendent of Police (Rural) SK Yadav said he was suspected to have committed suicide by consuming poison. Result of post-mortem examination is awaited.
“There are visible signs on the deceased person’s body suggesting the cause and time of death. Investigation has been taken up but no conclusions can be drawn until the post-mortem report is obtained,” said Sub-Inspector Ranvir Singh.
Tempers continue to run high in the village where no outsiders or media are allowed. After the locals, especially women, protested over a virtual parade by the media at the village since Akhlaq’s brutal killing, the local administration put up barricades to keep journalists outside Bisara. All vehicles entering the village are being searched for outsiders.
As tension simmered, the Gautam Budh Nagar police under whose jurisdiction Bisara falls, has sent a report to the district administration against the local BJP MP and Union Minister Mahesh Sharma, and UP BJP MlA Sangeet Som, accused of inciting the Muzaffarnagar riots, for violation of prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC clamped in the village following Akhlaq’s killing. “Since AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi came in a car just to pay condolences to the family and left, there is no report against him,” SP (Rural) SK Yadav said.
Political posturing continued over the gruesome killing with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav alleging “some forces” were conspiring to defame his Government by spreading communalism while senior Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav directly blamed the BJP for the incident.
“The incident of Dadri lynching is a well-planned conspiracy of the BJP for political gains. Despite much hue and cry, we did not stop anyone from visiting the village so that they could know the truth and ground reality,” Shivpal Yadav said.
“We are keeping an eye on hate-mongers. They have orchestrated riots in Muzaffarnagar and trying the same in other parts of the State. Stern directives have been given to district level officers. Now action will also be taken against them if they are found lax,” Yadav added.