A 50-year-old man was beaten to death while his 22-year-old son is struggling for his life in a hospital after they were attacked by a mob near Delhi on Monday night. Their crime: The mob was enraged that the family had stored and eaten beef!
Mohammad Akhlaq and his son were dragged out by villagers in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh just outside the capital, and beaten with bricks. Akhlaq died and his son is critical in hospital.
Six people were arrested in connection with the attack, around 45 km from Delhi, sparking protests that led to police firing, damage to vehicles and injuries to a 20-year-old welder.
Police said they have sent samples of meat taken from Akhlaq’s home “to the forensics department for examination”. Akhlaq’s daughter, Sajida, said the family had “mutton in the fridge” and not beef.
NP Singh, District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar told said that the police have been deployed in the area and the situation has been brought under control.
Sajida mentioned that a mob consisting of 100 people attacked her house on Monday night. They broke the doors of the house and alleged that cow meat was kept in the house. They dragged her father outside the house and beat him with bricks.
The SSP informed that a murder and rioting case has been registered against 10 persons and 6 persons were arrested.
An ex-gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh was announced by the UP government to Aklaq's kin.
Chief Minister Akhilseh Yadav has also instructed the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police, Noida to provide full protection to the family of the victim.
"The chief minister has announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased in the Dadri mob lynch. The UP Government will bear all the medical expenses of the other victim in the incident," an official spokesman said.
"Chief medical officer, Noida has been asked to personally ensure best care for the victim," he said.
