JAMSHEDPUR: The death toll in the
mob lynching cases across the state rose to 10 after a 70-year-old victim of Nagadih lynching case succumbed to injuries at
Tata Memorial Hospital early on Monday.
Ramsakhi Devi passed away a month after she was admitted at the hospital with multiple injuries. Devi was the grandmother of Gautam Verma and Vikas Verma, who along with Ganesh Kumar Gupta were beaten to death by villagers on suspicion of being child lifters on May 18. The mob attacked her while she was saving the trio.
Uttam Verma, who drove Devi to the site of the incident after receiving calls from his brothers, said, "I was also assaulted and injured but somehow I managed to escape the scene. I was taken to the hospital but discharged later."
According to doctors, the septuagenarian was showing signs of improvement initially. However, her condition deteriorated later and she stopped responding to treatment.
On the recent death of a victim of mob lynching, Bagbera police station in-charge R Y Prasad said, "With Devi's death, the accused will now face additional charge of murder."
Three incidents of mob lynching were reported in Kolhan last month. In the first case, Rafel Tudu and Sadam Ansari were first attacked and lynched by a crowd at Ichra under Jadugora police station on May 10.
Subsequently on May 18, four persons namely Mohammad Halim, Mohammad Sajjad, Sheikh Naeem and Sujad were killed in Shobapur under Rajnagar police station area in adjoining
Seraikela-Kharswan
district. Later that night, Gautam, Vikas and Ganesh were killed for the same reason.
As of now, 17 people including one named accused, have been arrested. A search is on to arrest the remaining 16 named accused.
The state government last week appointed three inspector generals of police (IGs) to oversee law and order across the state. The trio were directed to ensure that there was no re-ocurrance of the mob lynching cases and communal violence which took place in Ranchi and other parts of the state recently.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.