NEW DELHI: A Muslim man died early Saturday after he was attacked by vigilantes while transporting cows in western India’s Rajasthan state, police said.

India has witnessed a spate of lynchings by Hindu extremist “cow vigilantes” targeting Muslims and low-caste Dalits accused of killing cows or eating beef and other mob attacks over child kidnapping rumours.

Akbar Khan, 28, was walking with another person and two cows through Alwar district, around 160 kms from the state capital Jaipur, when some local villagers attacked them late Friday night.

“The incident of alleged lynching of a person transporting bovines in Alwar district is condemnable,” Rajasthan’s chief minister Vasundhara Raje tweeted after the incident.

“Police have registered a case and are questioning two suspects. Strictest possible action shall be taken against the perpetrators,” she added.

Rajasthan police inspector general Hemant Priyadarshi told AFP two primary suspects who had been in police custody had since been arrested. “Both of them were caught from the crime scene and were arrested after initial questioning and investigations,” he said.

“We are still trying to identify all others involved in this late night crime. Before dying, the victim told us that the attackers accused him of being a cattle smuggler,” Priyadarshi added.

Police said they were still trying to ascertain the exact sequence of events, reason for the attack and the number of attackers.

“Two main suspects are known anti-social elements and we are questioning them for more details on the incident,” said Shyam Singh, assistant superintendent of Alwar police.

“The cows are with the police and the victim’s body has been sent for post-mortem,” he added.

The latest attack comes days after India’s top court asked the government to enact a new law to stem “horrendous acts” of lynchings across the country.

At least 22 people have been killed by mobs in different parts of India over issues ranging from cattle theft, eating beef and rumours of child kidnapping this year.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.