Bengal labourer lynched in Haryana on suspicion of eating beef

HISAR/KOLKATA: Five men associated with a cow vigilante group have been arrested and two boys below 18 detained for allegedly beating a 24-year-old migrant worker from Bengal named Sabir Malik to death in Haryana's Charkhi Dadri district on Aug 28. The lynching happened on the suspicion that migrant workers were eating beef in the village.

CM Nayab Singh Saini condemned the crime on Saturday, saying; "Mob lynching is unacceptable. We've implemented strict laws for cow safety and preservation. There's no compromise when it comes to protecting cows. People are very devoted, and villagers often react strongly when they hear about cow slaughter. I urge them to exercise caution and avoid such actions."

Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed of Congress criticised BJP govt. "There is nothing called law and order in Haryana. Antisocial elements, goons and criminals are moving freely under the garb of cow protection and vigilantes," he said.

Malik had gone to Haryana for work a year ago, leaving behind his wife, three-year-old child, elderly parents and a brother back home in Basanti, South 24 Parganas. His body reached his home on Friday. The West Bengal Migrant Workers Welfare Board has reached out to his family and has assured them of all help.

2 teens among 7 detained
On Aug 27, rumours circulated about migrant labourers from Assam and Bengal eating beef in Hansawas Khurd village. This prompted cow vigilantes and villagers to search the migrants' kitchens and utensils, creating a ruckus. Police arrived and discovered cooked meat and took samples for tests.

Six migrant workers were detained as a precaution. Next day, Malik's body was found near Bhandwa village. Police registered a case of murder against four youths and handed the body to his family. His brother-in-law filed a police complaint, alleging some youths lured Malik to a bus stand under the pretext of giving them scrap material. He alleged that the youths beat Malik with sticks before abducting them. On Aug 29, seven youths, including the two teenagers, were detained. The minors were sent to a juvenile home. The other five suspects are Sahil alias Pappi, Kamaljeet, Mohit, Ravinder alias Kalia, and Abhishek alias Shaka. They are from Charkhi Dadri and Rohtak districts. Four of the accused have been placed under police remand and interrogated. Fearing for their safety, the migrant labourers began preparing to leave the village on Aug 30.

Charkhi Dadri SP Pooja Vashisht said a police force have been deployed near the migrant quarters.