Masihuzzama Ansari | India Tomorrow
New Delhi–A group of villagers lynched three Muslim youth to death after suspecting them of stealing cows in the Khuwai district of Tripura.
Police said the investigation is on but no one has been arrested so far. The incident occurred on Saturday when villagers chased a mini-truck after they suspected that cattle were being smuggled to Agartala.
Mobsters stopped the truck and dragged the three youth out. They were brutally thrashed causing serious injuries to them. They were shifted to the hospital where they were declared dead on arrival.
The deceased have been identified as Bilal Mian, 28, Javaid Hussain, 30, and Saiful Islam 18, all hailing from the Sipahijila district of Tripura.
Bilal was a farmer by profession. He was also helping his maternal uncle in managing the electronic shop. Javaid was driving a mini-truck to support his family. Saiful was a laborer in Chennai who had come home to celebrate Eid.
Family members of the deceased youth said they were innocent and not involved in cattle smuggling. They said not even a single cow was found in the truck. “My son was en route to Agartala to attend the marriage of his friend’s relative,” said Tajeer Islam, father of Saiful.
A case has been registered against the mobsters in the Kalyana police station. A separate case of cattle stealing has been registered in Champahir police station.
Kalyanpur police station in charge Shubrangosh Bhattacharya said they have no proof that the three youth were involved in cattle smuggling.
Family members said the mini-truck was empty and there were no cattle on board when a mob chased it on Saturday.
“My son was driving a vehicle which had a national permit. My son was killed on Saturday night. Police stopped their vehicle and checked documents. They were let go. A kilometer ahead, villagers stopped the vehicle and started beating them,” said Abdul Haq, father of deceased Javaid.
Haq noted that police are equally involved in the cold-blooded murder of three youth. He said the family was informed told about Javaid’s death on Sunday. “His wife got a call and the caller said Javaid has died,” he said.
Javaid is survived by his 21-year-old wife and one-year-old son.
Saiful’s brother-in-law Jaism-ud-din said they were lynched to death first and then a case of cattle smuggling was registered against them. “He was the sole breadwinner of his family. If his vehicle does not ply, the family will not have food on their plates. We demand justice. We also demand compensation,” he said.
Bilal’s brother Saleem Mian said he had come home on Friday and left with his friends for Agartala on Saturday. “There were dozens of injury marks on his body. His arm was fractured. His face was mutilated,” he said.
Kalyanpur police station in-charge Shubrangosh Bhattacharya said the investigation is on and villagers are questioned. “We are trying to arrest the culprits,” he said.
Khawai district magistrate Smitha. however. refused to comment on the issue. Asked about compensation, she said no decision has been taken on this issue as yet.
