IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi/Jaipur, Nov 14: In the killing of dairy farmer Umar Khan allegedly by gau-rakshaks (Cow Vigilantes) in Rajasthan’s Alwar on suspicion of smuggling cows, the Police have arrested two accused and the search for remained is on. The two accused have been identified as Ramveer Gurjar and Bhagwan Gurjar.
Reportedly, on Friday (Nov 10) early morning, Umar Khan, 35, along with two of his aides Tahir Khan, 42 and Javed Khan 28, were allegedly attacked by some 7-8 gau-rakshaks armed with guns near Fahari village in Govindhgarh. All three were allegedly stopped and attacked when they were transporting some cows and calves in a pick-up truck for dairy farming from Mewat in Haryana to Bharatpur in the state.
Umar died on the spot in the firing while the other sustained bullet injuries. Tahir Khan managed to flee the while Javed Khan is still missing. Tahir’s condition is serious and still hospitalized.
The police found dismembered body of Umar on the railway tracks reportedly about 15 kilometres from the truck. All three victims hail from Ghatmika village of Bharatpur and belong to Meo community.
Two FIRs registered
First FIR was lodged by Rajasthan Police under “The Rajasthan Bovine Animal (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Act, against Umar and his fellow travelers allegedly for cow smuggling on Friday.
But a second FIR was lodged on Sunday under IPC section 302 (murder), section 307 (attempt to murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence or giving false information to screen offender) following a complaint by Umar’s family members.
Family refuses to take body till arrest of all culprits
Umar’s Family and Alwar’s Meo community strongly believe that this was nothing but a case of cow vigilantism and alleged that Umar’s body was thrown on railway track to show it as an accident. While Rajasthan Police hinted it to be a case of robbery.
“Umar who was the alone bread earner of the family, left with three daughters and five sons. He was mercilessly killed and also dismembered his face. We want Justice,” Iliyas, uncle of Umar said.
The family has not allowed for post-mortem and refused to take body of the deceased till all accused are arrested. The body has now been shifted to the Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur from Alwar mortuary.
Besides it family has also demanded for a compensation of Rs 50 lakh and job for one child.
Also Read: Alwar Lynching: Rights Body alleges Rajasthan govt. of failing to protect dairy farmers from gau-rakshaks, demands independent probe
On Monday various social activists including the family members, relatives of Umar protest against his killing at the Gandhi Circle in Jaipur. The family members along with various social organizations including Rajasthan Muslim forum, MKSS, PUCL, AIDWA, JIH, and Nagirk Manch submitted a memorandum to state’s Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje demanding the arrest all culprits and withdrawal of cow smuggling case against Umar and his aide and also legitimate compensation to Umar’s family and other victims immediately.
On Tuesday a delegation comprising of representatives from various socio-religious groups also met Chief secretary Ashok Jain, demanding arrest of all the accused, suspension of SHO of the area and legitimate compensations.
All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has also strongly criticized Kahn’s killing and demanded stringent punishment to the guilty.
Opposition Slam BJP
Some senior opposition leaders including Sitaram Yechury, Sharad Yadav, Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot blamed state and center ruling BJP for not able to control crime by cow vigilantes.
Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of CPI (M) said that despite directions of the Supreme Court, murders in the name of cow continue in BJP ruled states. And Central govt has to equally take the blame.
“Cow vigilantes continue to run amock? Victims gets plastered with charges. Another Achha Din in a BJP state,” Yechury tweeted.
While JD-U rebel leader Sharad Yadav said in his tweet, “Government is unable to control cow vigilantes as again one Ummar (Khan) has been killed in Alwar while transporting cows and calves.”
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot condemned the Umar’s killing and demanding fair probe he said, “It should not meet the same fate like Pehlu khan’s lynching.
“I strongly condemn lynching of Umar Khan in Govindgarh, Alwar. As the reports suggest, he was thrashed n shot dead by a crowd of cow vigilantes when he was transporting cows to his native village in Bharatpur. Who are the forces behind such brazenness audacity?” Gehlot tweeted.
On April 1, 55-year-old dairy farmer Pehlu Khan from Haryana was assaulted by cow vigilantes on National Highway-8. Two days later he succumbed to his injuries.
Congress youth leader Sachin Pilot also tweeted, “Extremely worrying that Lynching&mob violence r becoming the norm in Rajasthan.Saddened to see willful neglect and meek response of the govt.”
Meanwhile on Monday state’s Home Minister Kataria said, “We don’t have enough manpower to control every situation in all cities in time.”
Though he asserted, “whether the accused is Hindu or Muslim”, action would be taken.
