Patna: Two men affiliated with Hindu fringe groups are among 6 arrested in connection with murder of a teenager who was found dead on December 31.
According to reports, the teenager boy was last seen participating in the CAA protest carried out by RJD 10 days ago, Indian Express reports.
Nagesh Samrat (23), Vikas Kumar (21) both affiliated to the Hindu Putra Sangathan and Hindu Samaj Sangathan have been charged in the murder of teenager Amir Hanzla (18).
Rafiqur Rahman, in-charge, Phulwari Sharif police station, told news source: “Our investigation shows that Amir Hanzla tried to leave the spot after police used force to disperse a violent mob. Amir was then held by some boys in the Sangat Gali area. The post-mortem report shows that bricks and other blunt objects were used to kill him. There were head injuries and marks of two cuts on the body. A lot of blood had deposited in the abdominal area suggesting internal bleeding.”
The grieve stricken family is inconsolable. Speaking to media, Hanzla’s father Sohail Ahmed said it was the first time his son had taken part in any protest.
“What was his fault? He was holding a Tricolour,” asks Ahmed.
Meanwhile, the Police have confirmed that Hindu Putra Sangathan is among 19 organizations about which the Bihar Police Special Branch had sought to obtain details of offices and office-bearers in official communication last May.
Deepak Mahto, Chhotu Mahto, Sanoj Mahto alias Dhelwa, and Rais Paswan are the other involved in the murder. The Police also said it was from these known criminals they learned about Hanzla’s location.
“These two youths were among the main instigators behind the communal tension during the protest on December 21,” said officer in charge, adding they are also investigating the role of Samrat and Kumar in instigating the violence.
One of the videos shows Kumar accusing the police of “torturing Hindus” and calling for “all Hindu sons” to “come to Phulwari Sharif”.
While in another video that was posted on FB, Samrat declares himself as the “son of a Hindu” and that he has “reached Phulwari”.
“We will question the top functionaries of these two organisations. There has been a trend of such groups mobilising crowds from outside. These two boys are not from Patna. There had been similar mobilisation of crowds during communal tension three years ago. We are gathering more corroborative evidence. We have a strong case,” said Rahman.
Teenager Amir Hanzla Murdered:
The teenager boy had discontinued his studies after appearing for Class 10 Board Exams and started earning in a stitching unit.
“Amir was fourth among my six sons. The eldest son is a teacher at a madarsa in Madhubani, the other four are studying,” said Ahmed.
“He had left for work on his bicycle on December 21. But his unit was shut because of the bandh, and he joined the RJD protest march. Video footage shows him carrying the Tricolour. His family last spoke to him at 11.45 am and his final location before his mobile phone was switched off was near the Phulwari Sharif block office. It was from this area that his highly decomposed body was found,” said Rahman, the station in-charge.
Reacting to the incident, Mohammed Imran Bukhari, chairman, All India Muslim Council, said: “Such is the rancour among such fringe groups that they write Phulwari Shri in place of Phulwari Sharif. Everyone knows Sangat Gali is the hub of activities of such Hindu organisations. Unless the main conspirators are arrested, nothing would happen.”
Hanzla’s father, who had lodged a missing complaint for his son on the night of December 21, said the family hails from Darbhanga and has been living in the Haroon Nagar area of Phulwari Sharif for the last eight years in a rented house.
“The administration should deal with the distrust between two communities. I have lost my son. This should not happen to others.”