Dadri on edge after another man found dead week after lynching

A 24-year-old youth was found dead on Tuesday under mysterious circumstances at his house, heightening tension in Dadri after his family alleged that he was facing police harassment following the lynching of a man over beef rumours.

The youth identified as Jay Prakash worked as a daily labourer. The incident was reported around 11 am after which a police team was rushed.

Agitated villagers did not allow Jay Prakash’s body to be removed from the spot until media arrived there. Police later took away the body and said that the cause of death could be ascertained only after the post-mortem examination.

“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 SI Ranvir Singh.

Jay Prakash lived with his mother Omvati, wife Guddi, and two brothers. His father Ram Avatar Singh passed away a few years ago. Their house is just stone’s throw away from residence of Iqlakh, 50, who was killed by a mob a week ago over rumour that the family had slaughtered a calf and eaten its meat.

Prakash’s mother Omvati alleged police harassment and said that her son was under immense pressure despite his name not being in the list of absconders.

Villagers claimed that the police had been looking for Jay 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 village representative.

Senior police officials confirmed that Jay Prakash’s name was not in the list of absconders and denied allegations about raiding houses and spreading any kind of terror.

Jay Prakash’s body was discovered by his relatives, who raised an alarm and within minutes a large number of villagers gathered there. The police was informed immediately, said an official.

On Monday, the administration had summoned 25 village heads from Bhisada and neighbouring areas and held a meeting in which they discussed ways to stop rumour mongers who are believed to have influenced youth in the villages, leading to the violence.

Image: Indian policemen stand guard near the house of Mohammed Ikhalaq, who was killed by a mob over beef rumours. Photograph: Anindito Mukherjee/Reuters