Madhya Pradesh: Man Beaten to Death by Angry Mob on Suspicion of Cow Slaughter

In another incident of lynching over allegations of cow slaughter, a man was lynched in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh late night on May 18. His friend, who was also thrashed by the mob, is currently in a coma in a hospital in Jabalpur.

The incident took place at Amgar village, under Badera police station, of Satna district. Riyaz Khan, the 45-year-old tailor who was lynched, and his 33-year-old aide Shakeel, who is now in a coma, were attacked and the incident was reported to the police through a call at around 3 AM.

The police probe revealed that two men had spotted Riyaz, Shakeel and two other persons near a hillock. When these two men reached the spot, they found remains of slaughtered cattle. After news reached the residents of a nearby village, an angry mob soon reached the spot and beat up Riyaz and Shakeel. The two other persons who were with Riyaz and Shakeel managed to flee the scene.

Though both of them were hospitalised immediately, Riyaz was declared as brought dead by the doctors at the hospital.

Four Gond tribal men have been arrested for the attack and lynching. “A case of murder, attempted murder and crime with common intent under Sections 302, 307 and 34 of IPC was lodged immediately against the accused on the complaint of critically injured Shakeel. Four accused identified as Pawan Singh Gond, Vijay Singh Gond, Phool Singh Gond and Narayan Singh Gond were arrested on Saturday and have been sent into judicial custody,” Satna district superintendent of police Rajesh Hingankar was quoted as saying

The New Indian Express also reported a “senior police official in Satna” saying that the police discovered “heads of at least three bulls and the meat also, which has been seized,” at the spot of the incident.

Sub-divisional Officer of Police, Maiher area, Arvind Tiwari has been reported as saying that they recovered “beef” and the carcass of a slaughtered bull form the spot.

Cases have also been booked against the deceased and his injured friend under the Madhya Pradesh Cow Slaughter Ban Act 2004 and the MP Cattle Preservation Act 1959. The case was booked on the complaint of Pawan Singh Gond, one of the persons who has been arrested for the murder.

Inspector General of Police, Rewa Range, Umesh Joga said, “About 400 policemen have been deployed to maintain law and order in the area following the incident.”

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) issued a press statement on May 21, condemning the incident. The statement highlights the nature of these incidents, in the name of the cow, as attacks on Dalits and minorities. It also alleges the role of the Sangh Parivar and other Hindutva forces in these incidents and the role of BJP governments, at centre and state, in twisting the laws to help the accused.

The AIKS has demanded that prompt action be taken against the accused and that the families receive compensation.