The houses of three persons arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) for forcing a youth to act like a dog and say “I’m ready to embrace Islam” in Bhopal were bulldozed amid tight security on Monday.
The video of the alleged incident shows the victim with a leash around his neck, while the accused instruct him to bark like a dog while subjecting him to abuse. Towards the end of the 49-second video, the victim is heard saying, “Main Miyan Bhai banne ko taiyar hoon” (I am ready to become Miyan Bhai, a term used for Muslims in Bhopal).
Speaking to reporters, State Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Monday said that he received information about the video of the incident in the morning and had directed the police to take action within 24 hours.
Within six hours, the police identified and apprehended the accused, he added, mentioning that a police station in-charge had been relieved from field duty in connection with the incident.
The accused were charged with the stringent NSA and the illegally constructed structures owned by them were identified for demolition, the Minister confirmed. Furthermore, the accused were also charged under the provisions of the Freedom of Religion Act, as a religious conversion angle emerged.